Changing houses forever....

        An ambiguous title this one. Or maybe normal for me. I suppose I could take this article/blog, in any direction really. When I first wrote the title, I thought about the amount of decorating, home alteration, modernisations, refurbishments, and the like, around me this year. It seems as if it's been non stop. Well, maybe, because it has.

         If you have ever been involved in any  kind of home updating, you will know how it goes. Someone, floats the idea 'I saw this great home improvement tv show, magazine article, shop whatever...it had the most amazing way of improving a room, house, apartment, area etc, just like ours.' ...hint, hint. Or simply, 'it's about time this room was updated!', sometimes, 'I am fed up, tired of this place'. Which, may actually have far deeper connotations, what exactly are they tired of? The restlessness that sometimes comes with fading commitment. Whichever approach to decorating is taken, it's hard to say, 'no way Josey', and get away with it. After all, how could you be so uncaring, or unimaginative, as to fail to see the possibilities? Of course you couldn't. Not even, if it's you who came up with the idea, and it's your room, and your money. 

         It's something that has to done fairly regularly, isn't  it? Unless, of course, you are a complete, and lazy slob, without an ounce of 'get up and go.' I know, I know.! Why you, why now? I know the standard evasive reply too. 'My got up and go, got up and went!' But seriously, it won't cost that much money, is the reasoning. Mainly, a little shopping, and a bit of effort...that's all.

         You know that's not true, don't you. Your partner, flatmate, mother, whoever, knows it too. We all know it! By now, you have probably had the visit to the shop. The shop where the materials are sold. They were priced, measurements taken, perhaps even a order put in. Or, far worse, a few things purchased, ready to begin. That's you, had it! Committed now, the jobs on, a program of works organised, and 'off you go.' Even if it's not 'off you jolly well go...' you make a start. 

           The time you set aside to start rolls on, it's too late to make excuses now. My mates' hamster died, they need me at work, the cars broken down, none of it will work. OK, Work clothes on, materials ready, everything moving on a pace. Preparing the room comes next. Is there furniture to move, walls to strip, paintwork to wash down, drop sheets to lay down. Whatever you need to do, gets done. The worrying thing is, you have not even begun yet. Two days, or two weeks later, the room is done. Although, you know what comes next don't you? 'Wow, it looks great, but doesn't it show the next room up, or the outside, or maybe the kitchen. Go no! Please not taking sinks, and baths out...

          That's the way my year went anyway. I knew some of these things had to begin, or be done. I just wasn't aware how many separate refurbishments would catch fire, on the tail of the first. It was like a chain reaction.  I became involved in four refurbishments in the end. All of varying degrees of seriousness. That's the way I spent the last year. There is great satisfaction in choosing the artistic side. I love to see the finished product too. The change is often amazing. Just as it said on the tin. ha ha. Even better than the original conception. 

          But now, on the fourth, and I hope last one, I am tired. My workmates are tired, and we all need a holiday. So, my friends, keep your fingers crossed for me. , hoping that once we wrap up this job, I can hang up my work trousers for a while. Oh, I know, I am luckier than the men involved. I cannot physically lift and carry like them. Although I used to do it all before I became ill. But I am always there, planning, moving, preparing, buying. Working to my limit.which, is all you can ever do, isn't it.

           The other changing houses, has been a physical changing of where I am based. Now that's hard too. I spoke of it last week, of it becoming confusing, never knowing, or recognising, where you wake up. Being away from home, a long way from home, has meant I must rely on others. I am lucky in that some very generous friends, and family have ensured their is always a roof over my head. Always, a meal on the table, how lucky am I ? Except, in its own way, that is tiring too. No, I am not complaining, only explaining that with only a couple of weeks to go until the end, I am soooo looking forward to life getting back to some normality.

          Bring it on, I say. 'Viva la difference' but, I also say, thank goodness, it's over. When at last I can relax, and get back to normal. Not that I even remember what that looks, or feels like......

           So, relax while you may, you never know whats around the corner....it could be your life disrupted next. Keep your eyes peeled!