There’s no place like Home

I cant believe its already been 3 weeks since my last post. I have started writing this so many times but something always seemed to get in the way. So here I am, in my lunchbreak making time to share with you everything thats been happening.

I am IN LOVE with my new home.…

From the moment I walked in I was willing to overlook almost anything….

Hole in the wall? EASY.

Back door doesnt open. Who needs a back door?

New hob doesnt take any of the pans Ive been donated. WHAT PANS?

It’s been a learning curve.

I’ve taken some time off work and begged and borrowed all the things I needed to get myself up and running. I’ve had amazing help from family and friends to turn this place into a home in just under 2 weeks.

I’ve had to get some things I hadn’t planned on. I have a new chair, a new sofa and even managed to scrounge a coffee table from FB Marketplace until I get mine from the house. I got given some gorgeous pans only to find out that they didn’t work with the induction hob that came with the apartment so have had to source some that did.

It’s been a labour of love.

As I sit here in my new workstation I’m looking at the Gin Palace (as I have christened her) and I feel nothing but an overwhelming sense of joy. My brother came and spent the weekend helping me take out the majority of the scaffolding boards (or pole dancing poles as we’ve come to know them) and deal with the mould and damp. We worked out its the first time in almost 20 years since we spent that kind of time together alone and we had a ball. We painted, we watched crap telly and we had takeout. It was a perfect weekend.

It feels so calm

I have already had my first guests and we have laughed and chilled and partied in the gin palace. We have had drinkies and nibbles in the garden, we have met the neighbours (they are lovely) and we have put together flat pack furniture. One of the guests hasnt really met me before and she commented about how nervous she had been but how calm the place was and how welcome she felt. And this is exactly how I feel and how I want everyone that comes here to feel.

Everything isn’t perfect.

There is still a hole in the wall. Its been a challenge sorting out things like Gas and Electric. There is LOTS of work still to do and I havent even started on my bedroom but all of that is just stuff to do. I am so shocked at how much more energy I have now Im not fighting to try and make someone else better.

I realise now that I am going to be OK. I have a home that I look forward to coming back to every time. I have Friends and Family that are incredible and Im starting to rebuild a life for myself.

I know that there will be set backs. I still have to collect my things from the house, and I am dreading that. But thats just one day and after that we will deal with the next thing and the next thing.

I can handle it all now – because my little oasis, with its wildlife in the garden and its friendly neighbours, is all mine and its really really feeling like home.