Life at No.22, Musings

F*ck it, let’s just do it

Suzanne

We kicked that rolling stone out the proverbial door, which hadn’t moved for a while. It’s kept moving and moving at a remarkable pace. It’s scary some days, as we are still two steps back and following it, which requires more stamina most of the time.

This kingfisher mirrors my thoughts.

Things and planning events in our lives are happening and moving, literally.

After returning to New Zealand at the end of 2018, we can finally renovate our kitchen and lounge area. I get to be the overseer of that bundle of dusty, noisy fun, whereas the Squire gets to pack a bag and fly over the ditch to see his brother. Unlike his other siblings, this sibling has kept in touch, giving him support on a regular basis and another chance at life by being his bone marrow donor in 2021. Health is unpredictable, and we don’t know what will happen in 6 months. The Squires’s blood/marrow system is not up to normal levels and may never get there, though, presently, his bloods are looking good relative to his normal. He still requires long rests and afternoon naps even though he wishes they were never needed. We both would not wish a bone marrow transplant on anyone; it’s harrowing, and the effects of it, we are surmising, will never leave our lives. Something that’s taking our heads and hearts a while to get around it.

Enter an action plan, stage right, “F*ck it, let’s just do it”. The next minute, without overthinking it, we booked a return ticket to Brisbane for a two-week holiday just for Les. The light in his eyes and big grin was worth the anguish I felt when I dwelled on those negative “What ifs”.

Organised chaos reigns at No.22

Me, I get the best job, whipping tradies into line. I know you can picture it, can’t you? Images that hopefully don’t linger too long for you. We have employed a good company with expert tradespeople to do the job. Though, to save a few dollars and keep me out of trouble, I have spent the last week removing wallpaper, 60+ years of the stuff, off the walls; the end of yesterday, I muttered, “Thank goodness that job is over”. Years of playing basketball have undoubtedly assisted my ability to use my hands/arms for hours and days on end. After the plastering is done, I have the task of painting. A woman’s jobs are never quite finished. Me, I love a good challenge perhaps next time I will be gripping something else than a scrapper or paint brush.

Published by Suzanne

Travel and Life Musings from New Zealand and Beyond. . . . . . .

38 thoughts on “F*ck it, let’s just do it”

  1. You can’t go to Brisbane when I’m not there…oh well, you’ll have to return in 2025. 😉 Glad you’re on the move again and look forward to the travel posts.

    If you need some reno tips, just let me know as I’ve done quite a few now, ha, ha…they can be stressful! I’ve even written about some of the ones I’ve been involved in – not fun ones and fun ones. Typically, cleaning up after tenants is not the fun renos.

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    1. Nilla, I’m going to be home alone with tradies 😉 This time only Les is going, to spend some quality time with his brother. Yes, more adventures to come not sure how far. Very small area, though after 5 days of stripping wallpaper I was glad of it’s size. We have a good company doing the kitchen and it will be fabulous having a decent kitchen with storage. Small things in life 🙂 See you in Brisbane in 2025. Hope your travels are going well for you both.

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      1. I read that wrong then, sorry…got excited!
        Wait until you start sanding – oh what fun. 😉
        Well, when you’re in your own place, you may as well be comfortable and set it up like you want to…it helps.
        If you do come to Brisbane in 2025, we should be in our house by the end of March sometime. I have a unit that we’re going to live in for a month before, to get this…renovate it then sell!
        Yes, travels are going great but we’re blowing our daily budget in the US and now in Canada. Things are so expesnive, especially accommodation and buses…go figure.

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        1. Exactly what we thought, getting the place to how we want it. Nasty cheap appliances from the previous owner that weren’t working motivated the renovation. No sanding on walls, getting the professionals to do that. A bit of sanding around the windows for me pre painting. Yes, I think travel as a whole has become very expensive compared to when we were doing it. Travel in general has changed since the pandemic?

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          1. Lucky you!
            Aside from the accommodation expense, it seems that all the big airlines are adopting the low cost airlines business model. All are charging to select seats, check in bags and even for cabin luggage on international flights. The cost isn’t $50 but sometimes a couple of hundred dollars for differing things depending on the airline, even on long flights. So, the flight is expensive to start, then airlines bung all the “extra” charges.
            It just feels as though the industries that lost money during the pandemic are trying to recoup losses so prices have increased drastically.
            It may be time to travel closer to home. 😉

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    1. Thanks Mel, I’m not sure I could do a whole house, a smallish lounge is bigger enough for me to paint. I hope the next part of your painting goes fast and smoothly. The results are well worth the hard work. I wouldn’t even consider plastering as it is way too hard a job and dusty hence why Les can’t be around while the work is going on. I’ll just be holding the magical whip 😉

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    1. Thank you very much, I think it will be a tonic for them both, something the medical team can’t administer in pill form and they said, go for it, so he is. Me, I’m a sucker for punishment (smiles).

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  5. I sometimes think you have enough energy for the pair of you, Suzanne, and it’s a grand scheme. I love that view from your home and though you’re bound to worry about Les and the ‘what ifs’, overall this couple of weeks will be good for both of you. Sending hugs.

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    1. Good view from the balcony, too.Les reckons you’re correct” regarding my energy😉
      Yes, it’s a grand idea, no good for him to be amongst the dust and noise. The idea to do the kitchen started after the trip to Brisbane. It all fell into place, thank goodness. Hugs appreciated, Jo xx

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  7. I wish I could ship my OH off somewhere so I could have some work done. He hates disturbances, but I would love to have the house redecorated. I’ll have to get a company in as I can’t deal with the vaulted ceilings. I wish Les a safe and happy visit to Brisbane.

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    1. Thanks Jude, they’re both looking forward to it. This will definitely be our last renovation, though the bathroom needs a new vanity that can wait.
      Getting a company in to do the decorating is the best idea. Hire a caravan for the OH 😉

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  8. It’s great that the Squire is able to take a break and visit his brother, and even more so that you’re willing to take on the task of managing the improvements and even getting stuck in yourself 🙂

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    1. I’ve never been shy about taking on a challenge or a task when I need to. Les used to be very good at home renovation as we’ve done a few places over the years. This is the last one (famous last words). It will be brilliant having a quality kitchen. The previous owner installed cheap appliances and kitchen cabinetry, which now don’t work efficiently.

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    1. I think Les has been through more than me in recent years. I’ll have a girls’ road trip at a later stage. The inconvenience is short-lived, and the end result is worth it. I understand how you would find it hard to get him off his bike. I went cycling yesterday and I always enjoy getting out on my bike.

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  11. I don’t envy you the remodeling chores and overseeing the tradies. We did a huge remodel in 2016 – even moved out for 3.5 months. But I had to be here every day to keep an eye on it and make sure it was done right.
    But I do hope the bone marrow transplant goes well and you both have a fabulous vacation, too!

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    1. Eileen, Les has already had the transplant, you’ve read enough about that and his brother was the donor. I’m looking forward to the end result a bit of inconvenience is a small price to pay, well the price is larger than the nuisance factor. This is only a small job compared to your 2016 one.

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    1. I couldn’t imagine doing a whole house renovation, Les and I have done a few houses. Thankfully we now live in a smallish apartment that is manageable and we just want to be up to scratch and remove the bad choices of the previous owner. Make our mark so to speak. All good things require a bit of hard slog 😉 Les and his brother Mark will make the most of it.

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    1. Thanks Natalie, though I feel stronger some days more than others. Les leaves at the end of the month. He will enjoy his time away I’m pretty sure of that.

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  14. Great philosophy, my mantra has always been “just do it” but it can get harder to follow as we get older and all the “what ifs “ start to sneak in. So well done to you both. Best wishes to Les and the weather over here is perfect at the moment. Stripping 60 years of old wallpaper will be a challenge. I wonder how many layers you’ll find 🤔

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    1. It is harder as we age, though it becomes even more important to keep pushing those boundaries out. I’m so glad we spent all those years housesitting and being fulltime nomads and didn’t leave it until we officially retired. Les will really enjoy the warmth, he feels the cold more since his transport. Well, Pauline, I got 4 layers off, now tiding the walls up a bit before the plasterer comes on the 30 April. Painting is next on the agenda.

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      1. Yes we are glad we house sat and travelled when we were younger. It was always the plan to leave the exploring of closer to home as we got older. So much to see around here. Well done with the paper stripping. Will be very satisfying when it is all finished

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