As the dust settles.....

and August comes to an end............

I'm embracing the changes, slowly but surely.

I believe, from 'too much moving' experience, that moving has some interesting milestones and the first one is the three month mark. Well done us!

Three months back in Blighty and not crying too MUCH.

September beckons, a little too soon I know, but it's a great month in many ways, perfectly placed in the year to take stock. We both, aren't quite willing to let the summer go yet, especially as we have real live farming entertainment on our door step. We really love it, it's like a moving picture window. Washing up and an ever changing country wolds view! Just adore all those freshly shaven fields, dotted with great big yellow Weetabix ! They make me smile whilst drinking my morning tea.

Equally, I am happy for the autumn magic to start. Ready for cosy evenings, fairy lights, sweaters, casseroles, and crunchy leaves. Be nice to see the back of the flies too!

Moving milestones are many, one, three months in, you know where you live and all your stuff is in place, might not be the right place but them's the breaks! Not here sadly, ours are still in France. Two, six months, things feel a little more normal, routine sets in. Three, one year (danger zone, already wanting to move again), four, getting there at 18 months......five, 2 years, you've made it!

We rarely get to the two years point, but this time we will. We will buy again but it will be a doer upper and we won't rush, lessons learnt and all that. Did I really say that outloud? I did! Silly me. This is where I add the 'never say never' disclaimer eh! Forgive me I don't know what I'm saying!

We don't have our gear yet and are living rather more frugally than we have in the past. We are also having work done in the house and have already accepted that certain much needed works here, won't be possible until next year but thats okay! No choice really.

The bathrooms here give me the ick!

I think cranky old houses needing works, are rather more likely to make one homesick for the previously renovated one. I am certainly missing my dressing room bath right now. Here, it's a quick shower, don't look around too much and out. Last night I found myself brushing my teeth and wondering why the sink was so low! This is why landlords should maintain their properties. Tenants if given a maintenance contract will often leave the place worse for wear and in our case, a house of many horrors. I know the views are worth it but I will feel better once the house actually functions properly.

Must admit, the relief of being here is waning. This house does not feel homely or like mine yet and I need it to so I can settle.

Next week is going to be tough as the kitchen is finally ripped out and all that entails, then maybe some of this house will work better, I do hope so!. At the moment the kitchen really is fit for the skip and the muck due to no kick boards, It's all rather yucky. I will be so glad to get rid of the leaky brown sink! Makes me shiver. Still, being a celiac is tough and the kitchen renovation is adding a little more anxiety to my already safe eating worries. I can't just eat out or eat on the hop. I am healing again and lamenting eating the French bakers gluten free bread for months, as it was very obviously badly contaminated. I just need to be careful, so I will be relieved when I have a clean functioning kitchen again.

This morning it's cooler and the light is certainly changing, more of a dim golden hue than bright sunshine. We have ten days of rain forecast which isn't what the doctor ordered at all. I can already feel the need to make autumn lists, logs, heating oil (once the new tank is fitted) and of course my woolies are in France!

I think next year will feel different, as this year has been one of too many challenges and also lot of stress. On that note, I'm so glad I moved my floral design course to March next year. This is not the year for it really, for so many reasons. Better to accept this year is to not the one, to add further financial stress to the terrible mix that is 2025.

This morning my glam job will be cleaning windows and picking some apples to make my lush apple syrup pudding.

Some days are just days to keep busy and hopeful!

D x