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. 

Where I live

I live with my parents at the moment and have done ever since I came back from Northern Ireland. I was mentally bruised, I was sad to leave my sister behind (especially in view of things that were then still way in the future) and I barely had a penny to my name.

The garden from above

I had registered with the social housing agency as soon as I could, but knew I would be in it for the long haul. The very long haul as waiting for a new home doesn't just take months, it takes years. Fortunately I don't live in Amsterdam, where a wait of a decade or more is the norm. In the area where I live, it would be more like 5-7 years. Still plenty!

The living room with view over the garden

So, when I got the chance for the house that was being lotteried off, I was in it. Then when I was first candidate, I was so happy. But did I get it in the end? Well... on Wednesday I got a phone call. From the housing agency. I got it! I actually got it! Paperwork was fine and as of yesterday I was the new renter of the house by the school. 

One of the bedrooms, there are 2 more!

Now for the moving in part. It won't be for a few weeks yet, as the walls need painting, the floors need covering, the windows need covering. Then the storage needs to be emptied and everything put in the house. In a way that I like of course. 

But officially? As of June 17th, I have a place of my own...

Was I lucky?

It was about a 0,36% chance to actually get to first place and be offered that home. So, where did I end up? Did I tell you I felt lucky? That I felt really good about it? That I just knew this was going to be my new home? 

I ended up in first place. FIRST! Oh yes. I was lucky. I had felt good about it and it came through. However, that didn't mean I would get the home. Because there were a couple of hoops to jump through first. 

Firstly I had to see the place and decide whether it was a place I wanted to live in (now, or wait another 3+ years, what do you think?). Then I had to prove I was earning enough: tax report over 2020 was needed. I needed to prove that I lived where I said I lived. I needed to have a letter by my current rental people to say I was a good renter, but as I lived with my parents, I didn't need to. If any of these proved to be unsatisfactory, it would be offered to the next in line.

The viewing took place last Monday. It's less than 500 meters from where I live now and right next to a primary school. The garden is overgrown and has several large trees in it. The kitchen is fairly small (no room for a dishwasher, gulp), I need to find a spot for the dryer as there is no room in the bathroom for it, but there are three bedrooms, so I think that is sorted. On to the paperwork...

The paperwork was sorted (mostly) last Sunday. The tax report was easily done. It shows the income you had over a certain year (2020 in my case) and unless I think I will earn a lot more this year, it will be accepted. And even though I did enter my birthday lottery (it just happens to fall the day after my birthday), I don't think I will be winning big this time either.

The proof of address may be a bit harder. Yes, I have submitted the paper for it, but the date I registered with the social housing company and the date I actually was registered in this town differ. So, fingers crossed it is not too much of an issue. I can explain some of the gap, but not all. 

I have everything crossed and then some that this may work out for me. I was number 1 candidate, hopefully I will be number 1 renter soon. It would be a great 50th birthday present!

Are you feeling lucky?

Do you ever play in the lottery? Do you ever buy a ticket and know, just know, that you will win that jackpot? And then the day comes and you might win 10 euro (or equivalent in your currency). But the next time you will buy that ticket again, because this time...

Well, I do. Not necessarily hoping for the jackpot, but a nice amount to cover the repayments on my car and get me a nice holiday. June 10th was another lottery day. I bought ten 20% tickets, which mean that if I win anything, I only get 20% of it. I paid 30 euros. I won a total of 15 euros. Yeah. Next month's tickets are bought already...

I did also play in another lottery. A housing lottery. Basically trying to find a new rental home in the town where I live, I need to have been registered for more years than I have been now. At least 5 to my current 2,5. But on occasion the social housing agency also lists houses where it is not important how long you have been registered, as the house up for rent will be 'lotteried' off. 

I don't often go for those type of places. Mainly because they are apartments in a neighbourhood I'd rather not live or because they are fairly small. This time however, it was for a family home with three bedrooms. Well, I have as much chance as the other 280? applicants, so why not enter this lottery. 

I felt good about it. Really good about it. I mean, I had less than a 0,36% chance, but it felt good! And then the day came the application closed. So, what place did I get? Come back tomorrow!

PS: I don't play the lottery every month, only about two or three times a year. I realise I will have more luck keeping my money in my purse and saving up that way. Or do I???

Back home

The first few things are being unloaded

So, we made it home. Nice and early on Sunday morning. A day which was mainly spent lugging heavy suitcases up two flights of stairs and doing nothing much. Apart from Miss O of course, who spent her day exploring. 

On Monday I had to register myself as living in this municipality. They only work by appointment, so made an appointment for Tuesday. On Tuesday I went again. When she asked from what other municipality I had come, her face fell when she heard the answer. I needed a different person to help me with that, because it would take a whole lot longer than she could give me, plus I would need some more documentation. *Sigh* Next Tuesday it is!

Fortunately the bank account was a lot easier to open. We went in, talked to the guy, he took my details and before we knew it, a regular and a savings account were open. I couldn't do anything with them yet, needing a bank card and some other details and stuff, but as they arrived today, I am good to go. All the money that my sister had held in her account for me, was transferred into mine, so at least now I can pay my own way instead of asking her to get my money for me. 

The very last

Other things that have already been sorted: the vet for Miss O and the registration database for her (she has been chipped). I am in the middle of getting my health insurance sorted, which may come through tomorrow or may take a bit longer as it depends on whether or not I am officially registered in this country. But at least it's in the works and only needs a final 'yes'. 

On Tuesday evening Gera and I visited some friends of my parents/us, who live in an apartment block. In that block apartments become free quite regularly and I have been thinking of trying for one of them. I just wanted to see whether it would suit me size wise. They also showed me the 1-bedroom apartment of a friend of theirs, which was definitely too small. But their 2-bedroom one would be quite suitable and I think I would have the room to park everything I own. 

As soon as I am officially registered, the tax people will know about me as well and I then I can get the tax form I need and then I can start applying for one of those apartments. Eventually I would want a bigger place of course, preferably one with more than just a small balcony, but for starters it would be perfect. I will keep you posted on that. 

Other than that, not much. I have been asking for a job, but even if I don't get to drive immediately (police record checks abroad might take some time), I can work in other places as well. I have done in the past and am not afraid of it. 

I will be using the green one, the other one will be sold.

So, I made it home. In fact, not only did I make it home, so did my things. The container arrived on Tuesday and the four Dutch movers made short work of getting it unloaded into the storage unit. I took a few things out, like the bikes, as I will not be buying a car just yet, but cycle. I might get fit again! *Gulp*

Let's go again!

All my belongings waiting for the container

Well, plenty has happened in the past week and a half. The movers came and the container arrived on Monday and all my things were placed in said container. After first being carefully wrapped up of course. They were nothing if not diligent! I didn't have a thing to do apart from looking on and was freezing by the time they had all left. 

The 20 ft container is full

On Tuesday I went back to the apartment to clean it. That took a couple of hours as it wasn't a big place. I took photos of everything which I sent to the landlord (he wasn't around to do the final check) and then I left the keys and left. 

Gera and me at the beginning

On Wednesday I tried to close my bank account. Again, as I had already closed it on Monday. But then money appeared on Tuesday. Which I transferred to my sister. And then I was below zero. She transferred back. Zero. Then below zero again. So I paid up and managed to get it closed. Until Thursday when more money appeared in the account. *Sigh* I transferred it to my sister again and this time around it finally did close! 

Me and Gera all done! And yes, she is red and I am purple

On Friday my sister's holiday had started and we spent the day preparing for the trip ahead. We had the car fixed (I had broken something off that was already broken), we bought the last things we needed, we had our hair done. Okay, the last one wasn't really needed, but as I had been paid a lot more for the car than what I had expected, we wanted a treat. Also because soon we will live in different countries again. 

Being silly on the first ferry

And then on Saturday morning we packed what was left to pack: cat, computer, assorted things we wanted to take. The car was full. We set off to the port of Larne. Where we were told we were at the wrong end! I had actually booked the trip the wrong way around! Fortunately she could undo the damage (after me forking out money of course) and we got on. Puss was not happy, especially as she had gone potty and I had to clean both her and the crate. 

We drove through lovely snowy landscapes in the beautiful sunshine

Once off the ferry the trip was smooth. We had take Oswin out of her crate but with the possibility to get in as well and she was much happier for it. Not happy happy, but she was better than if she had been in the crate. She panted nearly the whole way though, which was quite sad to see. But she was on my lap a lot of the way and seemed to be coping. 

Not liking it much, but enduring it like the trooper she is

On the next (international) ferry she had a whole kennel to herself. The crate went in and a small litter box and food and drink. Then she was left on her own. I checked in at 10 pm, but she was doing fine. Quiet anyway. The next morning we collected her and she was still okay. Once the car got moving again though: the noises started again as well. Ah well. We were only a short distance away from my parents where she would get the run of the house again! 

All pooped out!

So far, she is settling in well. As I said, she has the run of the house, apart from three rooms and she seems to be getting the hang of sitting on the window sill in the living room. My mother moved everything out of the way to give her room and she is appreciative. No accidents, just back to normal. In a new house.

The cactus and the squirrel (in wood) are even further apart now

I am settling in well as well by the way. It is of course strange to live with Mum and Dad again. You somewhat feel like you're twelve again! Although they don't tell me when to go to bed. *Grin*

Radio silence

Well, as you read this, I am having a week off from blogging for the main reason that my computer will be packed up and there isn't the room at my sister's at the moment to get it unpacked again. I took so much food I had left, that neither of us know what to do with it right now. 

There will be plenty to do for me this week though. The car has been sold, but there is closing of accounts and insurances, cleaning of the apartment and other things that crop up. On Friday Gera is off as well and we plan to get the car cleaned and packed ready to go early on Saturday. 

I will see you again when I am in the Netherlands!

Really?

I knew there was not much to do today. Yes, some boxes needed to be filled and one box needed to be opened again (vacuum bag not working). Yes, I needed to take my bed apart. And the sofa, otherwise it won't fit down the stairs. Other than that though: a fairly easy day.

Before I got going with my bed, I checked one of the drawers of my nice dresser. I knew it was empty, but still, I had found several things lurking in my night stand, so I was not as confident. But even I was surprised by what I actually did find: lots of pj's! Honestly? Had I not checked that dresser a gazillion times already and how had I missed them?

Anyway, I took them out, put them in a box, which is nowhere near full, and got going with the bed. The mattresses in the plastic covering I had kept from the last move and the rest just apart taking of thing sort of. I got going with the sofa, taking the cover off first and then tried to take it apart. I managed eventually. 

I don't know what made me go into my bedroom. I don't know why I looked up, but when I did, what did I see but a photo. On the wall. Meaning it wasn't in a box where it was supposed to be! I mean, really?? It went in the pj box which by now was half way full with things I am still finding. Not full though. Not full. 

I think my sister and I will have to come up here tomorrow as well (after a trial fitting and selling my car), just so she can check whether I have forgotten anything. Knowing me...

Nearly! Oh no...

I thought I would have the kitchen packed up by now. And to be honest, it is. Sort of. There are just two or three things that I haven't found a place for yet. Big bulky things that don't fit in the regular size boxes. Like the dish drainer I have. It fits in a box alright, just not nicely. Annoying. 

As for the clothes: they are mostly either packed away to send on or packed away to take with. Until I find yet another pair of socks or a scarf. The unpacking party is getting more ridiculous by the day, as I am really putting everything together now to fill up the last boxes. Plates and shampoo and scarves and stuff that comes from nowhere (don't ask, not a clue). 

Left-over boxes on the left

The last three days I have been working hard I think, although others might not feel the same. Which to be honest is not really my problem just now. My problem is that I noticed muscles in places I didn't have muscles. And they are a bit tender. It's a good thing this whole move is nearly done, otherwise I would start to look like Arnold's little sister!

I am know just tidying every single room to see whether there is any more stuff that needs to be packed away. The stuff that I do find now however, is usually weird shaped or very big. It won't fit in a box or very badly. But, I am nearly there, so I am not too worried. 

About 6,5 cubic meters (about 230 cubic feet)
In total (incl. furniture) about 26 m3 (918 ft3)

Once I have packed everything that needs to come, I need to get rid of the things that don't come. Like rubbish and stuff that goes to a charity shop. But that can wait until next week. The place is mine until January 31st anyway. 

Back to work

No, I haven't gone back on the bus again. Not yet anyway. I have started work though. Not that you would notice it to be honest, as I have been emptying kitchen cabinets so far and it seems to be making more mess than it actually clears!

Also I have been making enquiries about several things. During the weekend I spoke to my father and he told me about a storage facility about five minutes from where they live. They then phoned friends of theirs who are using it, phoned the company itself and then phoned me back saying I had to phone directly. 

The upshot was that yes, they would have storage for me, in the right size as well. And it would be about 70 euros cheaper a month, including VAT than the service I was going to use through the moving company. Who by the way had hit me with a one off warehouse service charge of 500 euros, not including VAT. Meaning that for one month storage I would have to fork out nearly 1000 euros! 

Today I phoned the moving company asking them whether it would be a problem (blaming it all on my Dad of course, as you do) and she said it wouldn't be, just to send her an email with the new details. Which I did immediately. It will save me the better part of 800 euros (ie a lot of money). When I get back to my sister's tonight (where I am staying again together with puss), I will phone the storage company to finalise the details and then I will send the address to the moving company. One thing ticked off.

I also said goodbye at work. They were sorry to see me go for several reasons: I was the only female driver left and I did a good job, according to plenty of emails complimenting me. But they also realise that it's the better thing for me. I handed back all the equipment I had (one key) and left. It has been an experience that has taught me an awful lot about myself and my wishes for how I want to live my life. 

The last bit of the admin I needed to do was apply for a police record check. When I lived in Norway, I also needed one and I had to get one from the Netherlands. Now I live in Northern Ireland I don't need one from Norway, as they do the check. So I was wondering whether the Dutch would do a check in NI and Norway, saving me the bother. Most likely not, but you never know. I contacted the justice department, but haven't heard back yet. 

And lastly: I have sold my car. Not yet, but will do so on Saturday. I had been thinking about selling it back to the garage, which would mean very little money, but my sister said try 'webuyanycar.com', which offered a really nice amount. We got a quote last week and it ran out on Friday, but this week's quote was the same. It will go to my sister's account, to be transferred to my new Dutch account when I have that. It will be money used to furnish a place once I get a place to furnish. I will also need a cooker and a fridge, so the money already has a destination.

So, back to the packing. There is laundry going on right now, which will need to be packed away to move or packed away to take, depending on what it is. And as I said, I am working on the kitchen and trying to get all that packed away. Doing fine so far, but I know myself and you will always find stuff lurking in places you haven't looked yet because you thought it was empty.