Dear Readers, 

How is everyone? I hope you’re all well. Today, I will update you about how life is a month after the move. For me actually, it’s now 5 weeks after the move, so I’m an extra week wiser…

(So are the Readers mate… for example, shouldn’t this post have been a few days ago…? Aren’t you a bit late?)

Yes, well, it is true that I am late once more. I’ve messed up again. I’m sorry, yet again.

(Uh-huh, and what was it this time?)

Errr… my Mum got a couple of puppies, so they could have eaten my blog post. 

(Uh-huh, why don’t you just try a little harder…?)

Honestly, I don’t think I can try any harder than I am. Between the wife, the kids, the job and the move, I swear, I feel lucky that I find the time to poop.

(Poop: A word used when someone wants to show that they have kids).

No, really… I’m thoroughly knackered.

(Give the violin a break already – why don’t you make yourself useful and tell us about the month after the move..?)

I guess it’s the least I can do…!

A Month After The Move

Well, you all remember what my place looked like on the day of the move? Here’s the pic again in case you didn’t see it.

Now, here’s another pic, of my new place, a month after the move.

(Spot the difference? You’re taking the mick mate…)

Actually, I am taking the mickey a bit. Not only is there no difference between the two pic, but my place doesn’t look like that anymore! It did look like that about 2 weeks after the move, but about a month in, we’re in good nick. We still have a bunch of things which aren’t done, but the House is ok really. 

How Good Is It Then?

Well, I’d say that between 80% and 90% of the house is done. Actually, I believe that even when you’re settled in a house, you’re not really at 100%. You’re always at around 95% or so. There’s always a bunch of things that need to be done. From that point of view, I’d say, that a month after the move, we’re almost as good as fully settled.

How About Some Details?

Well, the missus wants a new kitchen table (along with chairs), we need a piece of furniture for the telly/DVD etc, and a few pieces for the bathrooms. The office room is still drowning in boxes. I’m in there now, but I only just fit (and it’s not a small room). Looking at the boxes now, I count 13, not including various bags etc, folders and wrapped up electronic stuff (I can see a shredder). I was going to buy myself an exercise bike, but that’s not going to happen this month, I’m pretty sure. 

So What Have You Done Since The Move?

Well, quite a bit actually. If we take out the week immediately following the move, where you do all the essentials, we’ve done quite a lot.

In terms of works around the house, we’ve had a handyman/contractor come in, without exaggeration, at least 10 times in the past month. These include a carpenter, a plumber, an electrician, a locksmith, a carpet guy and a painter. The carpenter does other bits and pieces too, so he’s been in a few times actually.

Other than the builders etc, there’s the stuff we Bought new or redid for the new place. Here’s a list:

-Bought 2 new carpets
-Bought a new desk/shelf combo for the office
-Bought new bunk beds for the kids
-Bought a new couch 
-Bought a shoe rack (not so major, but it’s a surprisingly big piece of furniture!) 
-Redid the (other) couch covers
-Redid the dining table chairs

How Much Work Was It Then?

It was a lot of friggin work..! Even if you forget the contractors, who were in at least 10 times, just the list was a serious pain. 

Now, reading it, it might not seem very long, but every item on that list right there, was a lot of work. Each one of the items was at least 1 hour of listening to the missus as she searches for things online, and then at least 2 hours in the Shop, looking at colours and touching fabrics. And I kid you not, when I say at least… I mean AT LEAST.

For the new couch, we went to three shops, and spent ages in each one. Redoing the couch covers (old couch), we went to two shops, and spent 3 hours in the shop we bought from. The new desk/shelf combo was a trip to IKEA (is there ever a trip which is less than two hours at IKEA?) which was 3 hours long (and we didn’t find what we wanted). After that, we went to another three shops. In the end, we bought from a shop that we went back and forth to, at least three times (just to make sure the measurements were right and the colours matched). The guys at the shop expect us to buy a cupboard for the living room too… (but I’m never setting foot inside that shop again).

For the TV stand that we want to buy, we have already been to IKEA, and another 4 shops, but we’ve made no purchase yet. 

All in all, just that shopping list, is 20 hours long outside the house. Now, we still have kids, we still have other chores that must be done (think kiddy activities, think supermarket etc). This 20 hours is out of my spare time (which is like 3 or 4 hours a week). Do I sound like I’m having a whinge? I should.. since I’m clearly having a whinge! The message I’m trying to pass on to you though, is that it’s a lot of work, on top of the lot of work you already have… 

Couldn’t You Just Get The Lot In IKEA?

Honestly, yes, we could have. Even though IKEA does not have everything one needs, they would have had the vast majority of things we wanted. However, at one point in everyone’s life, comes a time when they don’t want IKEA anymore. Some say the quality’s not quite there, others just don’t want their house, looking like everyone else’s house. Me? I can’t stand the silly names all their stuff has, and that comes with a tiny anecdote…

One day, a friend of mine came to the house, pointed at a shelf and said “Hey, that’s Billy!” as if he was talking about a person… I can’t say why, but it kinda put me off IKEA for a bit. Friggin Billy…

Conclusion

Well, certainly, the hardest part of the move is behind us. The few weeks of preparation before the move takes place, and two weeks after the move date, are the toughest. A month after the move though, things should be pretty good for you (at least they were for me), with the house definitely comfortable, even if not 100% yet.

Was it all a lot of work? It sure was… but it was also worth it. We’re much more comfortable now, with the missus and the kids quite happy!  If they’re all happy, that means I’m happy too.

Finally, before I go, let me wish you a Happy Easter (just about!). I hope you all had a good time, and didn’t eat too much (I sure did). Do comment below, and do let me know how long it took you after your move to settle down. Was it quick? Slow? Or just right..? Let me know dear Readers!

All the best,
SJ

PS Dear Readers, as I’m barely managing my time a month after the move, I’m not going to be able to post this Wednesday. My next post will be Wednesday the 26th! Thank you for your patience and understanding!  

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