Moving on up, moving on out

Nothing can stop me......!

This is so true!

Today, we are officially one week away from signing for the Farm and we are also one month down from leaving France, currently happily hanging out at my Son's house, impatiently waiting to sleep the first night in the new abode.

Of course the new digs are the worst on the block, because had we not gone for something other's didn't really want, with this crazy summer housing market in play, we could have really been homeless. That said, she has good bones and I can totally see what I can do with her. It won't be fast and it won't be easy, no but we are in no rush.

The Farm definitely wins on privacy and views over the Wolds, picture perfect. Great for the dogs and even better for His Nibs who will be able to tinker with his vehicles. Of course it will be like camping for a couple of months because we need our stuff from storage at some stage. Hopefully we will have it all back by the end of August and normal ish living can return. There's cosmetic work to do so we don't wan't to load up too soon anyway. Lots of paint kisses needed!

The views are peaceful and tranquil, just what the doctor ordered after the France escapade. There's room for my flowers down the line, so I'm quite excited to get going. First up will be the hideous kitchen makeover then a bathroom upgrade and so on. Everything is functional at the moment but she's rather aged and tired bless her. I do believe the walls of that farm have chosen the right family to move her forward. If anyone can do it, we can!

Sans regrets?

Non.

Yes, it's been a bit hairy at times and I even dared to suggest we may end up back were we started but we got there in the end. Life has a way of unravelling and then suddenly it's all ravelling back up the right way, we just have to believe.

It was a big risk, totally worth it in every way, no matter how worried we were at times and we were. Sometimes we just sat there mute, shaking our heads wondering how tent living might feel?

I'm so relieved to be away from the toxic nonsense and I don't think our mental health could have taken much more if I'm honest. Wherever you are in your life cycle folks, it's really not worth it sticking with something that offers nothing but stress. I do think we owe it to ourselves to be honest and ask ourselves 'is this little life a happy life I'm living?'. We take care of so much but are we taking care of self?

Whilst being kind to everyone, be kind to yourself.

It's nice that most days feel more normal now than they have in years. One by one those heavy weights have lifted from my shoulders. I feel ready and able to face the next chapter but differently, we live and we learn.

The French housing market is mad in it's own way but also very unpredictable. Our house could be sat on the market forever so we need to move forward regardless.

He's officially working again, just the last few days, log on issues having been sorted. I think this bit was the hardest to handle. No money for 6 months, not many could survive that. I feel grateful that we've gotten by and not killed each other. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger, no doubt!

I have not enjoyed watching my man struggle. I think we forget how much work can define a person and he was totally lost, worried that at 57 it was over for him. I didn't believe it but as the months went by I worried that he might be right. How can one go from a specialist to nothing over night and also theres a skill shortage! It really made no sense. In the end applying online became rather more frustrating as way too many companies are using AI to filter candidates! Stupid Bots!

So this next week will all be about getting ready to move. Fizzy is hanging out with her grandad until we leave my son's house. His dog Ralph and Watson are learning to be buddies. It's all good.

Yes, UK is more expensive, I've definitely noticed that food prices have shot up but its swings and roundabouts and sometimes lovelies a cheaper life isn't a better life, is it! However that said, we are drinking less!

Be good,

Love and gumption

D x