We’re all moved in. It took a whole week, I kid you not. We moved ourselves without the aid of removal men. Just us and a van. Well a few vans if I’m honest. And a lot of help if I’m even more honest. And a tow truck complete with winch to hoist Robert out of the mud when the removal van got stuck due to the TORRENTIAL RAIN that has been falling constantly if I’m going to tell you everything.
But we’re in, and shattered, and grateful and Never. Moving. Again.
The kids were fantastic I have to say. They just got on with it although they haven’t been sleeping very well. But I think that’s to be expected.
We moved the garden across first. All of my plants had been put in to pots and Robert hired the first of many vans (he only had to hire one more and he would have had the entire collection, so we were told by Van Man) and we loaded them up. Plants in pots are funny things to have to move because you can’t put anything on top of them, obviously, so once the van floor is full that’s it I’m afraid, no more can be fitted in. It took a fair few runs to get the pots across let me tell you.
Even if the kids only had their hands touching the wheelbarrow they felt they were involved, we were more than happy with that. Growing up with Robert and I as parents will ensure that they are more often than not fairly busy so they may as well get a head start.
Once the plants were done Robert hired another truck. This time a 7.5 tonne jobby with a tail-lift at the back. We filled this truck twice. Once on Tuesday and once on Wednesday.
During this process we also discovered that certain pieces of furniture would not be going upstairs due to a rather small opening as the stairs curve round. This means that I shall not be having a sofa in the bedroom but it also means that my marriage has remained intact and we are all still friends. Did I tell you that we’re NEVER MOVING AGAIN?
I did?
Cool.
As more and more large pieces of furniture appeared at the end of the van I think we all had to dig fairly deep to keep our senses of humor and not raid the drinks cabinet.
Thanks Dad.
Thanks brother-in-law Paul.
Maybe one day you’ll both find it in your hearts to begin speaking to Robert and I again if we promise that we’ll NEVER MOVE HOUSE AGAIN.
Or perhaps not, it seems as Paul was left to move the bookcase by himself.
The kids were with Grandma, doing a recce of the garden. And then it rained biblical style and they had to watch from the window. Normally this would have sent them in to hysterics as they like to be part of the action. But on this occasion they both watched from inside the dry, warm and cosy new house quite contentedly. Funny that!
My dad packed the van like he was playing a giant game of Tetris. I have to say, jokes aside, that it did make it a lot easier to unpack and this level of organisation ensured that to a certain extent we did move with J.O.Y. (Just Organise Yourself)
Although I think Garry, my other brother in law, liked to think he could have perhaps packed it a little better. I’m undecided, I think he and my Dad should have a Pack Off to decide. Man vs Packing, sounds like a GREAT television format to me.
We all got stuck in, however I got stuck. Between a mattress and a banister.
I mentioned that we are never moving again didn’t I?
If you could hear this conversation you would hear a ‘tense’ discussion taking place between Garry and I in which we discussed the merits of moving the mattress upstairs in various different ways. My Dad looked on and chortled, as Dad’s do when they are no longer new parents, exhausted, moving house or thinking that they may just jack the whole lot in and move to Thailand.
The mattress did eventually make its way up the stairs and Garry and I sustained only light injuries, although my head seems to be a slightly different shape due to it getting stuck.
But we did it. We moved in and here starts the rest of our lives.
Makeovers, renovations, garden design, homemaking, crafting, recipes and everything else that goes in to keeping a house and garden.
But before that I am taking a 7.5 tonne truck for a wee drive.
Why?
Because I’m a sexy mother-trucker (and clearly slightly delirious)!
I love you and thank you so much for stopping by. I’ve missed this website more than you’ll ever know. Hopefully that will all change from now onwards.
Which is also my word for today, ONWARDS!
Cherry x
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LOL.. so glad you are moved & settled by the time I write this
we spent the first years of our married life moving.. seemed to be every 6 yrs.
we have been in this house ,on this acreage 12 yrs now
hope you enjoy your home as much as we do.
being settled in isn’t a bad thing AFTER all ..
Cherry, so glad to be reading that ytou are moved in. You and Robert are so good at anticipating what the children need. What a lovely home and place to grow and decorate and live and create…
Congratulations! The pics brought back lots of memories for me, in particular when we helped move my brother and his wife about 20 years ago. Amidst the chaos, my sister-in-law Kate, who I love to pieces decided to ‘pack up her jewelery’ by beginning to put earrings into pairs???!!! Me, I’d have just swiped the lot into a box and sorted it later. Still love her though….
Hooray! Can’t wait to see photos of the new house. I am sure you will do wonderful things with it. Isn’t it exciting to finally be in your own house! Although you, in the past, never let that stop you from redecorating, or reconfiguring spaces! It’s lots of fun, I know. Andale!
Oh, Cherry! How much this reminds me of the time we moved almost 8 years ago to this house which we had built, from the first house we ever bought and lived in for 31 years, rearing our three daughters (older and twins) there. Not a down-sizing move, that’s for sure! I send my best for your settling in and putting your imprint on every part of this house! xoxo
My last house move nearly killed me ( 7 years ago!) – moving all the normal stuff plus the million and one things belonging to the kids etc. And we hired two men and a gigantic van. Made moving house as a couple years ago EASY by comparison. Enjoy your new place once you’re over the trauma!
Hi Cherry, so glad it all went well(ish). I had a dream last night I went to visit you in your new house and it was all dark wood panelling in just about every room (I can’t imagine that would be your sort of thing), never got to see the kitchen though which is most disappointing.
Anyway, I’m very much looking forward to seeing photo’s of the real thing.
Have a good evening xx
You know me well. Dark wood paneling isn’t really my thing! Cx
Congratulations on your move. I think you are so brave to move yourself. When we moved last year, not only did we pay a company to move us, they also came the day before the move and did ALL the packing. I literally couldn’t have done it with a 9 month old at my feet. All I packing was some really precious and sentimental stuff. It did cost us a fair bit but we reckoned it was worth it. But hats off to you and Robert for doing it yourself. Really looking forward to seeing what you do to the house. F x
We had the exact same bannister pattern in our old house! Looking forward to seeing whether you paint it or strip it back. Is it oak? We have an Arts and Crafts house with non-negotiable stair openings. A couple of bookcases effectively got cut in half to get them up and we have a couple of pieces of furniture that should be upstairs but have had to stay down! Wishing the four of you a lifetime of happiness in your new home and looking forward to seeing your plans come to fruition.
Nikki