The countdown has started......

Never a dull moment. As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago in (The calm before the storm) we have been talking about retiring for years. I also said that there was a lot happening in the background, well my friends this is some of what has been happening. Just under a month ago an Estate Agent phoned us to ask if we wanted to sell our house as she had someone who was interested. We explained that we did in fact want to sell but hadn't listed it yet. Anyway, long story short, we met her and she listed our home. We were quite sceptical as we have had another property on the market for almost a year and it is still not sold. The third couple she brought around fell in love with the house and returned with their family to look again. They signed an offer which was subject to the sale of their house, but also less than what we were asking. We accepted with a counter offer. In the meantime their house sale fell through and they held an 'emergency' Show House which yielded results and the house was sold to a cash buyer. They came back to us having increased their offer a bit, the Estate Agent dropped her commission and we accepted. Remember the harbour lights in Italy? Well .......... this finally happened yesterday and we signed the papers last night. Our house is sold and we are actually RETIRING to the Western Cape, in particular we are looking at Betty's Bay. My mind is like a Formula 1 race track at the moment with all that needs to be organized and completed. We will be going down to the Cape in three weeks to view the houses we've been looking at on the Internet over the last couple of months, we have sifted through, more or less, the ones we like. Then it is going to be full steam ahead to get this house packed and the actual move. All this is a little daunting for me at the moment as I have Fibromyalgia and am going to have to find a way to pace myself (not my natural style) in order to stay on top of things and get it all done. If anyone has a main line to the 'moving elves' please tell them to come and visit me. Haha I wish.

Retire has already become a flexible word as Hubby is busy making plans on how he will be able to work long distance, make furniture and a number of other ideas. It was also very 'considerate' of Poppet to tell us last night that "it makes complete sense for Dad to make my dining room table before he makes your bookcases, because then you have less bookcases to move with." Love you girl. This is already a bittersweet event for me as I will be leaving Big Guy, Poppet and my little Princess behind and moving closer to Big Bear and Baby Bear and other family. I think there are many moms out there that will agree with me when I say a perfect life is if all your family live in one city. This is going to change so many dynamics of our family, for the good, in that instead of family caravaning holidays in December we will now be doing family holidays and get togethers by the sea. This for me is a lifelong dream coming true.

Kiko has now learnt how to 'high five' me when she gets her food, as she is usually quite frantic she is only too to happy to oblige She is growing so quickly, has her own very distinctive personality and loves to chat with me in her little squeaks and meows. this little bundle of fluff is extremely determined and is still the first one to approach Gemma for friendship, except for the other day when she leapt off the chair onto Gemmas back and then leapt straight off just as quickly. There was a huge ka-fuffle I can tell you.

Have an awesome weekend folks, enjoy your families, relax and recharge for the week ahead. Stay safe.

The calm before the storm ...

This week has felt like the calm before the storm. Not a bad storm but a BUSY storm. It's been a quiet week which is rare and I'm definitely not complaining. But there is a lot happening in the background and on the horizon. Let me explain - for years we have spoken about retiring and the timing has never been right for many reasons. I believe we were also 'looking at the wrong place' for us. Many years ago I heard about a harbour in Italy which had a very narrow entrance. The only way for the ships to enter was when three green lights along the pier, lined up until they looked like one light. Then it was right to enter. Anyway, long story short, last year we finally decided the we wanted to retire to the Cape and not Natal as planned. Since making that decision the lights have started lining up and things have started moving. Our house is on the market, Hubby's work contract is coming to an end, we know where we want to be, but at this point it is ALL 'still to happen' - the calm before the storm. Having moved more than 38 times in my life, and just having helped Poppet two weeks ago, I know more than most just what awaits me and I cannot say I am relishing the thought. I look around and find myself mentally packing the house. I will admit to completely bailing on packing the garage. That is Hubby's domain alone. In the meantime we are enjoying house shopping on the net, at least we now have a really good idea of what is available and can see and research what we like. So now you can understand my statement about the calm before the storm. I do believe I will enjoy the calm while it lasts knowing what lies ahead.

Talking about calm....... We are still not living in a completely calm environment. I am amazed at how long it is taking Gemma to stop hissing and growling, but to her credit it is far less. I think more for show now than anything else. Kiko actually managed a few run pasts today without being moaned at. I have to give this little one her due, there has not been one encounter with the huge Gemma where she backed away first. She stands her ground and Gemma always moves away first. Kiko will come up close to my face and we have these little 'chirp' conversations. About what I have no idea, but seeing as she is purring all the while I am assuming they are good haha.

I have taken on a new project - my little princess saw a knitted gillet/poncho picture that she liked. I love knitting but usually from a pattern, the only thing is there is no pattern available for this garment. So, brave (maybe naive) soul that I am, I boldly promised I would make it for her. Many calculations and ideas later I believe I have come up with a 'pattern' and began the project yesterday. It did prove more than a little difficult once Kiko discovered the wool and moving needles - at one point I was knitting above my head. Eventually she got tired, never bored though, curled up to sleep and left me to my knitting. Will post a photo when it is finished, if it works :D

As this week comes to a close, have a fabulous weekend, make the most of every moment and stay safe.