The cost of moving continued

Only a few coins in there

I spoke about the financial consequences of my move (basically flat broke right now), and only a few short sentences about the physical and mental state. However, they are not to be overlooked. Or overfelt in this case and yes I know there is no such word, but you know what I mean.

The first thing I noticed was a couple of weeks ago. While sitting on the couch on a morning, my fingers would go completely numb. Then a couple of days later, I felt a tingling sensation in the knuckles of my fingers while driving. Paracetamol helped, but it kept returning. 

I had to go see my gp yesterday anyway (cervical smear which turned out to be pointless as I no longer have a cervix apparently), so decided to add on a visit about this problem with my hands. Result? Carpal Tunnel Syndrome! Great!

He told me there were a couple of ways to go: try splints at night or see a neurologist who would most likely tell me to try using splints at night. Guess which way I went? Yep, option number one. I then had to get the splints from somewhere and there they told me some more as they have experience with that type of thing.

First thing is: use the splints and hope the pain/discomfort will diminish. If not, the next option is the neurologist. Who by then does not need to prescribe splints, but can go straight to cortisone injections. If that too won't help, it will be a case of operating. The lovely guy helping me said I was lucky though: I got myself medical attention quite early on. Some people wait for over a year! 

One for each hand

Anyway, I sleep with splinted braces now. Which keep my wrists from bending while sleeping, giving rest to the carpal tunnels and hopefully make them return to normal. The first night was not the best, but I will get used to them.

On the mental side of things: I phoned my sister yesterday. After a few trials and a lot of errors, we decided that seeing each other might help and the phone call became a video call. An hour later we had several things sorted.

Firstly: our walking trip to England will be moved from May to September, to give me more time to get my finances sorted to actually pay for the trip. Secondly, a short city trip might be possible in May, most likely to London, but other options are available. Thirdly, despite my empty piggies, I will go over to see her (Corona permitting) in October. 

Along the Mourne Coastal route back in 2018

As I said: I am tired in my head and really need some rest. Staying in a cottage close to the sea would be just what the doctor ordered. If I had asked him that is...

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...

Tuesday's Travels 18

Last week's challenge was indeed a choice between two. But which one is it? Is it Meissen? Or is it Belleek? I have visited both factories and love them both. However, this one is Meissen. Gera gets the point, Yamini half a point for concurring. 

My story? During our trip through central Europe my sister and I just had to visit the Meissen factory in former East Germany. We both love porcelain, especially vases. We got a (tourist) tour through the factory and right at the end was a museum with absolutely beautiful pieces. This one was one of them. I could have bought it as well I think: several thousand euros would have needed to change hands. In the end I settled on a small vase, which was dear enough.

On to this week's challenge. Where is this? Have you ever been? Tell us your story. Answer next week!

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.

Tuesday's Travels 17

Well, I thought I could fool you all, but two people still knew what it was, even if I didn't show this exact photo last week. Yamini and Gera both get a point for knowing it was Sverd i Fjell near Stavanger, Norway. It translates as Swords in the Rock and they are quite big.

My story? Well, a friend of mine showed me these while we were on our way to a yarn shop. We clambered all over to try and get the best photos. I even had one of those photos turned into a piece of art to hang on my wall and it is the first piece you see when entering this house.

On to this week's challenge. Where is this? Have you ever been? Tell us your story! Answer next week.

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!

Tuesday's Travels 16

To be honest, I had to look up exactly what this photo was again, so no worries if you didn't recognise it! But, it was the statue of Pope John Paul II in Rome, which is located near the station (Termini). If you got Rome right: half a point. If you got Pope right: half a point. So, who got points in the end? Debby gets a whole point for Pope and Rome. Hilary and Gera both get half a point for Rome. Millie and Walter get half a point for the Pope. 

My story? In 2019 my sister had some vacation days left over and wondered what to do with them. Well, why not take a trip to Rome with your big sister? So, that's what we did. We took one of those big bus tours to see the main sites and this statue was along the route.

On to this week's challenge. Where is this? Have you ever been? Tell us your story. Answer as always next week.

Tuesday's Travels 15

Was this a toughie or what? Mind you, if I hadn't been there, I would never have guessed this one either. But it was Bournemouth Pier in England. Points go to Fun 60 and Yamini. Hilary gets a mention as she first was at the right coast and right starting letter (B), but then moved to the wrong coast, even if she did stay with B.

My story? When I lived in England back in the early nineties, I decided a few days at the seaside would be fun. As it was pre-car, I took a train or two and ended up in Bournemouth. It was already autumn, so not much was open, but I enjoyed myself anyway. The weather wasn't very good, but I think I visited a Lego exhibition on or very near the pier.

On to this week's challenge. Where is this? Have you ever been? What is your story? Answer next week!

Eating my greens

They need to grow a bit yet these beans

Apart from new home and a birthday party, there is of course also this little garden of mine. Which is not that little to be honest, it seems to take up most of the garden now! But it does look great and is good fun. 

The Crimson Clover has started to bloom

Last Sunday I was sitting on the terrace with my breakfast enjoying the peace and quiet of an early morning. Bees and wasps were already busy and there was buzzing all over the place.

A wasp (?) and a ladybird on the Buddleia

When the sun became a bit stronger, the Red Admirals and Cabbage Whites arrived. They love the Buddleia we have, but the Cabbage Whites are also partial to my cabbages! 

Which are doing great by the way. Despite being eaten by the unseen caterpillars and/or other bugs. Plenty to go around.

The first tomatoes are here as well. Still very green and quite small, but as they are the cherry variety, they won't grow that big anyway. 

Radish flowers and seed pods

Two plants have started to set seed now: the rocket and the radishes. They will have to remain on the plant for as long as possible obviously (so my Mum says) to actually produce viable seeds. 

It looks like a gherkin!

My courgette that was didn't survive due to lack of water, but fortunately another one has started to form and I will make sure this one does survive. And my first cucumber is on the go as well.

My brother and his family gave me a small lemon tree for my birthday, but according to the sign with it: not edible. I had been thinking limoncello or pickled lemons, but alas. It still looks really good though!

Quite a few pea pods already. Growing big and fat!

The carrots have been harvested and eaten already and that pot will soon be moving with me and probably be filled with flowers for the time being. The rest will come as and when.