Waiting

At the moment, I’m waiting for completion to happen which probably won’t be until the afternoon. I’m determined to take the move slowly. I’m lucky, I have six full days before I have to be clear of this house so I’m trying to plan ahead.

Yesterday was difficult, not helped by getting a call at 4.30 from the lady whose house I’m buying. Her solicitor had told her that completion wasn’t until the 15^th which had, quite rightly, put her into a flat spin. Of course, it was all down to the incompetence of the estate agent/solicitors and after speaking to them, it was resolved, but that didn’t stop the stress. The poor woman was in a right old state of panic and who can blame her?

As I’ve said before, I’m finding this move hard. A while ago, I almost decided not to move at all, but realised it was fear that was getting in the way, now I know why I was scared. It’s not the usual kind of fear – of something bad that might happen – it’s rather the fear of getting it wrong.

A word of explanation is required. I’ve spent my whole life worrying about getting things right, not upsetting other people, putting everyone else first and neglecting myself. That’s what I mean about getting it wrong now. This is MY move. If I want to use the biggest bedroom as my work space, I can. If I want to make the front room into a dining/sitting room, it’s up to me, it’s ALL up to me.

That’s why as soon as I get the key, I’m going to the house, notepad and tape measure in hand and deciding what to do where. If it takes the whole day, that’s fine. I don’t have to rush.

When I tell people I’m moving, they immediately imagine that I’m running round in circles, because that’s what normally happens but I’m not doing that. Last night, I finished a jigsaw and played Freecell. This morning, I made tea, and went back to bed with a book.

Now, all I can do is wait for the phone call….

Getting ready to go

My move has dragged on and on so much I feel positively drained.  It’s been like being in a state of complete limbo. They say moving is one of the most stressful thing you can do.  I’ve moved too many times and it doesn’t get any easier.  

 I’m lucky as I can spread the actual move over the course of a week, starting on Friday (15 th)

I’ve already bought carpets for two of the bedrooms. They will be fitted on Saturday before any of the furniture lands.  

Completion on the sale of my house happens on the 22^nd which is the first anniversary of Mum’s death.  As far as I’m concerned that marks the start of a whole new chapter for me.

I just wanted to say and huge thank you to everyone who’s messaged me, or called, or dropped me a line. I couldn’t have got through the bad times without you.  I also wanted to apologise to all those people I’ve neglected.

I’ve done the best I could.

Tonight is the Food and Drink quiz at Spice . The had one last year and it was great fun (trying to work out what flavour Pringles were meant to be and so on) so my plan is to take it easy (again) today, then carry on with packing tomorrow.

I AM moving but I am NOT celebrating (yet)

Contracts were finally exchanged yesterday so it seems I AM actually moving.

I feel cheated as once again something good has happened but I don’t feel like celebrating.  I have gone into weepy mode. I’ve found this move at least twenty times more stressful than any of my other moves, and I’ve moved PLENTY of times. The most annoying thing is that if I’d known my buyers were going to mess me around so much I would have gone away for at least a week, as soon as Louis left and I could REALLY use a break. As it is, I’ve no idea when I’ll get one. It all depends on how quickly I can get sorted in the new house.

I don’t have the  heart to get started on any new projects but the good news is that I will be moved and free of this house and its garden before the 22^nd of March is over (the anniversary of my mother’s death).

As soon as I have the money from selling this house, I’m going to book Swanwick and the Warwick Festival (NAWG). I’m teaching at both so hopefully they will be holding places for me.

I’m thinking about going to Caerleon too as it’s the last year. It will give me a chance to catch up with some old friends, plus I’m not teaching, so it will be a break too.

Apologies to anyone reading this who’s looking for words of wisdom about writing. I can assure you that normal service WILL be resumed, SOON.  

At the moment I'm offering my book, THE WRITER'S TREASURY OF IDEAS for £9 including postage to the UK as if I can sell them I don't have to move them, so if you have any writing friends with birthday s coming up..... 

payment is by Paypal to lindatorbay@yahoo.co.uk 

 

Happy Mother's day

It’s Mother’s Day and as I don’t have a mother or anyone to call ME mother, I made a trifle, bought myself  some daffs,  and I’m having fish and chips for dinner.  I might even open a bottle of my favourite rosé.

To round off the evening, I’m going to watch one of my all time favourite films – Pleasantville. Cheers!

My new house has shrunk.

I went to the new house earlier and it seems to have shrunk. Haven’t a clue where everything will go – the garage probably.

Spoke to a couple of friends on the phone which cheered me up. I’m thinking of going to Caerleon this year as it’s the last one and will be a good chance to catch up with some old friends.

This weekend I was meant to be at Weetwood, teaching. I’m so glad it was cancelled as I don’t think I could cope with that right now. Although it’s fun it’s also very hard work.

I’m sorry that writing is taking a back seat at the moment as this is what this blog is MEANT to be about, but do bear with (as they say on Miranda).  I will get through this and out the other side, despite the best efforts of the solicitors.

I rewrote a story, rejected by Fiction Feast, and sent it to Woman’s Weekly but that’s about all I’ve managed.  

Oh well, at least I’ve got Spiral to look forward to.

Dates, but nothing definite.

I have a date for my move, but there’s a but…..  it’s not definite until we exchange and that might not be until Tuesday the 12^th. As completion on my purchase is on the 15^th, that doesn’t leave much time to manoeuvre. I've booked a removal company and told them I'll confirm as soon as I can. I've also   spoken to Virgin about getting connected at the new place. That's about all I CAN do right now. 

Each time something seems to be certain, there’s another hold up. It really is getting to me. I will be so glad when all this is over then I can get on with my life.  It was a pleasure to go to crossword class this afternoon. That hour and a half is like an oasis in the desert.

I had some Writers Bureau work to do today which was perfect as it was something definite that needed to be done. As for anything else, I emptied a cupboard and asked John to clear his stuff out of my loft. He’s coming back tomorrow to work on the shed. As far as I’m concerned almost everything he’s been keeping in the loft/garage/shed isn’t worth the floor space but try telling him that. I’m really looking forward to the day when he has his OWN garage then I won’t feel burdened by all his ‘junk’.  He’s even saved a pile of dry logs.

I called in at Blockbusters on the way home. It’s such a shame they’re closing.  I’ll miss them. I bought some films to watch as there’s not much point trying to do very much else while I’m waiting for definite dates.  Do I wish I hadn’t decided to move? No. Right now the garden is starting to burst into life which means grass o cut, hedges to trim,  weeds to battle. Having a small garden will mean I can actually spend some time enjoying the garden rather than worrying about it. I can hardly wait, and that, of course, is the problem. I’ve never been any good at waiting…..