HELLO .. Hello .. hello

A short post just to record the progress on our activities.

We finally found people to do the floor. Initially they didn't return calls, then missed appointments so we had quite low expectations. When they finally showed up to give us a quote we were happy to arrange to have the floors done the following Friday. 2 large vans arrived, filled with enthusiastic flooring people, bright and early on Thursday morning! Sorry guys try again tomorrow when we've actually moved all the furniture out!

The floors have now been sanded and 2 coats of varnish applied. Monday will see the final coat and hopefully Tuesday will see the furniture returned to more normal places. Until then we live in the basement, somewhat perched on top of our furniture and clothing. We spent Saturday trying to avoid the pervasive smell of varnish, so were camped out at the mall and various furniture stores.

I really should have managed things a little better on Saturday though. The mall was safe enough but visiting a couple of higher end furniture stores resulted in a small but financially impact-ful group of items added to Judy's shopping list. I had pretty well talked Judy out of this shameful, flagrant consumerism (our furniture has lasted us nigh on 26 years!) when I compounded my foolishness by letting Judy know that our tax return had arrived. And a small bonus. If you're sitting there (smugly) thinking 'how could 1 man be so stupid?' I will admit that today I also allowed Judy to speak to a family member about these planned purchases. Oh well. Any Americans want a Rimu dining suite? Going cheap.

Tammy update. We've had a bit of interest and are pleased to let you know that a home has been found for her. While we are not leaving for a few months yet we are keen to get her relocated sooner rather than later. An attitude that seems to confuse pet people. We really aren't pet people!

Judy is well. Well enough to be cheating at WELDER actually. Really.

ticks

The clock has been doing far too many of them, with no word of progress or regress from us. I do apologize.

Firstly, we continue to celebrate Judy's continuing good health. She is feeling some of the side effects of her hormonal treatment but is bearing up pretty well. Her blood tests continue to be nice and stable and the Dr is happy that her disease is remaining nicely out of the way.

So what have we been up to in the past months? The main item is still selling the house. We had Art come down and 'help' out for a week. That week amazing things happened to our house. Words cant express our gratitude and admiration for all Art did that week.  Every item on Judy's extensive to do list was done. Then on Wednesday we had to make a new list. By Friday we nearly had him working at the neighbors. Things slowed down since then but we have carried on with the smaller jobs, painint doors, windows,m ceiling, walls, the back porch etc. Now that Spring is crouching at our door we are ready for a few more outdoors activities, more painting and cleaning, repair the driveway a little more, planting and lawn maintenance etc.

The last major item to tackle is sanding and varnishing the floors. True to  form and history we attempted to do this ourselves. We got one room done and decided it really was worth pursuing a professional to come and do it for us. Hopefully this guy turns up on Friday! It is a clear sign of an improving economy when it's hard to get tradesmen to come to your house. Art being exceptional in this respect as well as many others.

We have also been getting ready for the move - sorting out 'stuff', throwing away all that we don't need, boxing books (the old fashioned paper type). Judy is inordinately pleased that we are able to use the boxes she saved from our move TO the States 14 years ago. They are in surprisingly good condition! The wrapping paper that the movers used is also still available. I'm pretty sure I was not supposed to mention that Judy IRONED this flat 14 years ago, so lets skip that.

We have a section of the garage cordoned off for the 'sell this stuff' pile. Pretty soon we will be dedicating the entire garage to this category. Lots of electrical goods need new homes. The Keurig has already been promised to  a good home. I confess that I'm missing it already and it still sitting here on the desk next to me. Addicted? Moi?

Also in need of a new home is Tammy. Any American residents interested in a very lovely dog please let us know. She has 2 bad points - she sheds hair and has so far killed 3 skunks as well as sundry other rodent family members of similar sizes. Otherwise she really is a great pet, companion, and house guard. Whle she is getting a little grey in the snout (and what's wrong with that!!!) she still behaves like a puppy when we take her for walks.

We may have a house rental sorted out for Christchurch through a colleague at work. It is only available on September 1st though so we would still need temp accommodation when we get there. Lots of details are coming together, lots more to do!

We are also planning our trip to the west coast. We leave CT on June 17th and will head to Canada, Chicago, and a Canyon. Any other suggestions that we should see while we are passing by would be helpful.
 We need to be in LA by July 3rd and will then head fairly directly to CHC.

In summary: Judy feels well, house is looking very nice. Please buy it, or anything in the garage.

Love love