Please let me hold your hand...roll on 2018!

jackyann

It is worth remembering that family relationships can not only survive separations, but actually thrive on them.
My own adult children remain very close to their uncle and aunt, who have always lived about 3 hours drive away. We visited, of course, and they did special, slightly different things there that they remember fondly. So I think you will be able to forge a different bond with your niece - especially if she can come to stay over sometimes - and you can do 'treat' things together.
It will be different, but can be no less dear, especially if she can share some of your excitement at making your new home.

LameWolf

I agree with Floss; there's no reason not to start packing up things that are for summertime use only, and stuff like books that you know you won't need for a couple of months at least - just leave yourself one or two to hand to read.

The light has finally appeared at the end of the tunnel, then. :T

VfM4meplse

LameWolf wrote: »

I agree with Floss; there's no reason not to start packing up things that are for summertime use only, and stuff like books that you know you won't need for a couple of months at least

Its quick enough to pack these things, but the problem is storing it out of cupboards. It will just be clogging up my hallways and living room instead, which will just make me feel stressed and uncomfortable in my last few weeks here

At least it’s safe and sound where it is at the moment!

VfM4meplse

Well I’ve made a start on the packing and feel like I’m living in chaos

Driving home this evening I felt so D-mob. Am thinking: no more cars parked left right and centre, no more cr*p drivers to contend with...

I also felt very sad that I won’t need my niece’s car seat any more. I shall leave it with her uncle, as he is the one who will be driving her round now

greenbee

You might find you still need the car seat - when she comes to visit you for example. I don't need car seats as often now my niece and nephew are at school, as they don't spend as much time here. But I still need them for the trip to/from my mum (I do one way, my brother does the other) 3 or 4 times a year, plus odd days out. And they're handy for putting the shopping in too...

I'm living in chaos at the moment, but that's mostly because I've packed up half the house to get the next phase of work done. My survey pretty much said 'roof, walls and foundations appear to be OK, everything else needs work'. And actually, it was wrong about the roof as the lead needed redoing. I moved in just over 4 years ago, although I have done a huge amount of work, I've been without a proper kitchen since I moved in and will be for at least another 6 months. The survey actually made me feel that I was justified in pulling the house apart and redoing it how I wanted it. And I've taken the time to make it how I want it rather than living with how it was because there was nothing wrong with it so no reason to change it. Try to see your survey as an opportunity.

VfM4meplse

greenbee wrote: »

I'm living in chaos at the moment, but that's mostly because I've packed up half the house to get the next phase of work done. My survey pretty much said 'roof, walls and foundations appear to be OK, everything else needs work'. And actually, it was wrong about the roof as the lead needed redoing. I moved in just over 4 years ago, although I have done a huge amount of work, I've been without a proper kitchen since I moved in and will be for at least another 6 months. The survey actually made me feel that I was justified in pulling the house apart and redoing it how I wanted it. And I've taken the time to make it how I want it rather than living with how it was because there was nothing wrong with it so no reason to change it. Try to see your survey as an opportunity.

Well you have certainly put my chaos into context! Just reading about your situation makes me feel stressed out, I couldn’t imagine being in the same position. Kudos to you for perseverance :beer:

I’m no super-cook but I can’t imagine living without a proper kitchen for 5 minutes, let alone 4 years. In fact I am looking forward to hosting my family in my new home at Christmas, so perhaps 6 weeks to straighten my environment out will not be so difficult

VfM4meplse

Well, I’m finally past the point of no return and the packing has now started. Yesterday involved shifting furniture around to accommodate mass stacked boxes and going through my wardrobes; this morning we’ll start on my study and then I’ll pack my books on my own. The baking stuff I’ll leave to next week.

My mum is staying over this weekend to help. She got very upset when I was packing away my niece’s stuff to make room for the boxes. Not at me, but the reality of the ending of a very close relationship and seeing far less of her from a fortnight’s time finally hit home. She also had a sob that I don’t have children of my own.

On the plus side, I converted her to my kind of Saturday evening dinner: we shared a bottle of Baileys over ice, which took the edge off the pain of packing.

LameWolf

Onwards and upwards, VfM; onwards and upwards.

VfM4meplse

Day 2 of packing, and I’m thoroughly fed up of it.

Am now tackling my books (I have been known to buy one or two in my time ) and it’s taking forever it seems.

short_bird

At some point in book packing I curse publishers who change book size in the middle of a series by the same author... :mad: