Getting used to it

Still a very long way from settled in, but we are getting used to the changes and the constraints. There will be a slow process of finding homes for things and we are COMMITTED to continuing to downsize our stuff. Nothing comes in, just leaves! Except for the essentials of course (rubbish bins, shelves, we also need more lamps so that will be a fun hunt through antique stores) ... other than the things we have to have it will be minimalism all the way! Hah.

Some things are much easier to get used to than others. I am very fond of the walk to the washing line ... I may be cursing it before too long but right now I love the novelty, and the outlook. The walls are some leftover outbuilding or pig pen or something ... we have grand plans for a garden bed. And a path. I'm not sure if the photo shows it but the fence is our property line and we have cows on the other side. Very rural, although sometimes they do sound quite cross.

We already knew the kitchen would be a nightmare with limited storage, so we are storing everything temporarily in the bookcase in the hallway while we build more cabinets. We are building them in the shed so we can still use the kitchen. This means that 30 boxes of books are still in the lounge room and we can't park our cars in the shed ... but we weren't going to anyway, not for a while! It took us two years in the house before last before we got a car in the garage. You have to have somewhere to poke your bits and bobs ...

The cat has settled down amazingly well. She had a good explore of everything then ate some food and used the litter tray, so two thumbs up for her. There are a few good spots to watch the birds and some screen doors she can see lizards through so everything is OK in her world. When we were having dinner yesterday she jumped up on a chair next to us and gave herself a thorough bath which is the sign of a comfortable cat. My husband's sign is sourdough and he made a delicious loaf the day before yesterday - the oven gets his tick of approval. We haven't had gas since 1999 and it's taking a little bit of getting used to but the oven is definitely an improvement on the weird Italian thing. The cooktop's not as good as induction but it is still light years ahead of the awful ceramic disasters we put up with for 20 years before that. I think my comfort sign will be picking up a paintbrush and I unpacked everything today so possibly tomorrow! 

I also went to the local quilters group on Tuesday which was very nice - just four ladies there (they meet every week for a sew and chat) -  they have a designated space next to the scout hall and were very welcoming. I would like to get into quilting again now I (allegedly) have more time... In a month or two. When the house sells and the boxes are empty.