I used to have my own corner in the front room to write. That all changed with lockdown. My Dearheart worked from home and, as he was actually earning money, got squatters rights in the front room. I had to relocate my laptop, current notebook-in-use and research file box, pencils and sticky notes to the dining table. My old ‘standing’ (ie. up on besser blocks for height) roll desk slowly filled with various items and files with nowhere else to live.
And I’m still there. On the dining table. Having to clear everything away when it’s needed.
Finally, that is about to change (well, it will eventually). We’re having new rooms added to the back of the house: a ‘mud room’ back entry and room for some storage, a second toilet, and a larger multi-funcitonal living/entertaining (ie. room to play D&D)) room. The walls will be lined with bookshelves (and hopefully we can reclaim some of the floor in other rooms) and I get space for a new writing nook, which will double as a recording/video area.
Squee!
We’ve a lot of ‘stuff’ to remove from under the verandah and carport before the old metal verandah is removed, including our overgrown garden.
Then the pavers need moving. I (with help) landscaped and put down those pavers when I first moved in over 30 years ago (and didn’t have health problems). And we did too good a job!
We’ve managed to give away the mini freezer, but still have to find homes for the desk and various other items in the carport (I’m too embarressed to show that picture!) or they’ll end up in the skip. I’ve even advertised on the local trash nothing/old freecycle sites.
Today the concreter came over to double-check measurements for the footings and paths, and we were given a start date: 6th February.
Eep! Two and a half weekends to clear it all.
I’m now officially in panic mode and feeling a bit useless, as I can’t do much of the lifting work with my current health problems. We’ve been ringing gardeners and handy-persons over the past two months, but they are all booked out, so I’ve put the call out for any able and willing bodies to help remove pavers, garden, move furniture items, and more items. Up for grabs are the items seen in the above photo (the freezer has gone), various plants and cuttings, and other items in the carports.
But so far, have had no volunteers.
So my relief at soon being able to vacate the dining area permantly and get a decent under cover washing line, has been overshadowed by an increasing sense of doom and rising panic levels.
I’m just concentrating on winter, and a new space I can dedicate to my writing and creating.
Wish me luck.
(Patrons received a sneak peek of this post on 19th Jan)