I ended up not doing any stitching aside from two whole lengths of thread today … instead I’ve been pondering my situation and talking things over with Mum for 2 hours, and a close friend from work for another 1 1/2 hours.
The upshot of everything today is that I’ve typed up my month’s notice for my landlord … I’ve decided the best thing I can do for my mental health is to just pack up and move on, whether the housesitting comes through or not. While it breaks my heart in some ways to move on, I know it has to be done for both financial and physical reasons. Now I’ve made the decision, it feels like part of a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Tomorrow I’ll start the ball rolling officially by dropping off my notice to vacate (actually, I may just phone them, then pop the letter in the post to save the petrol costs) … then I’m heading out to a relatively local self storage company to pick up about 6 boxes and ask about storage space costs etc. At least that way it’s not very far for the truck to drive from here, so it will cut down the costs somewhat. I’ve just paid my rent for the next month, so I should have no further outlay except for the final utility costs. I’m also going to approach Freecycle to see if someone has more boxes that I can pick up … as well as the Dan Murphy’s option as well.
Unfortunately I won’t be taking up your suggestion of picking up some Chardonnay from Dan’s, though Ally … I will, however, be chucking some more in the fridge from my home selection … aside from the fact it’s nice at the end of the day, it means something else that doesn’t have to be packed … any excuse is a good one 😉 Mum and I joked about that earlier today too – I just polished off the rest of a cask of port last night (the only thing I can generally drink from a cask … I’m actually impressed by the quality of the Penfolds casked port!) … and we both said, oh well one less thing to pack haha.
For the first time today I shared the photos with one of my close friends at work – she was absolutely shocked, and phoned tonight to tell me I’ve got to get out of there this week and move in with her straightaway, what a sweetheart. Anyway, we had a great talk, and it helped get things set in concrete in my head. Over the next couple of weeks I’ll spend up to a maximum of 3 hours a day packing, with at least 1 hour a day on ‘down time’ such as my stitching etc. Seeing as I’m picking up some boxes tomorrow, it’ll give me a head start doing a bit of packing this week once my back is fixed and back to normal.
Closer to the time of moving I’ll send an email to all RAK Registry participants to give you my work address, as I won’t have email/computer access for a while. My computer will likely go into storage, and I’ll have to rely on internet cafes/libraries for a while … but that’s all 3-4 weeks away yet, so there’s still time. I’m also in the middle of moving the Registry over to WordPress, so I’ll try to concentrate some time on doing that this week 🙂
That reminds me to add Iinet to my ‘to do list’ for the week – to find out options for my emails … wondering whether I can move to a dial-up account for a month or so to keep the costs down, then I can work out alternatives such as a wireless provider etc (geez I wish I had a laptop not this 10-tonne brick of a PC to lug around!!). Talking of which, do any of you out here in Aussie-land use a wireless provider already, and if so can you recommend them? Actually, I think I should start typing up an official to-do list so I don’t forget when I wake up! (my head has been on another planet for the last couple of months, never mind just this week!!)
Anyway, I’ll sign off for the night … and leave you with my latest WIP, For the Birds by the Drawn Thread. Hopefully I’ll get this finished over the next couple of days inbetween doing everything else (please excuse the blurry photo). Mind you, hopefully the next stitching session will see more than 2 lengths of thread being stitched! So much for getting this finished today – all I ended up doing was the green border 😉
Feather Stitching 
I’m glad that you’ve come to a firm decision – I think it will definitely take a load off your mind!
Nice work on “For the Birds” – I love this piece – I stitched it a number of years ago.
I hope you can find somewhere to live soon – it would be great if you could do the housesitting, or even move in with a friend (even if it if just for a few months to get yourself back on your feet).
Sending positive vibes your way!
Congrats on reaching a decision Ann. (((hugs)))
I’m sure you made the best decision possible, the pics of your flat scared me… good luck *hugs*
Congrats on the decision and good luck with moving.
I am sure you feel much better about making a decision. Your stitching is looking great too Anne.
I’m just terribly relieved to hear that you’re moving forward, Anne. You take care of yourself, and don’t hesitate to take up the offers of your good friends!
Love your DT – that’s one of my faves, being a bird freak. 😉
Take care of yourself, and remember we all care, too!!!
{{{Anne}}} Sounds like you have made the right decision for you. Good luck with the move. For the Birds is looking gorgeous
For the Birds is really cute!
~Lana~
I’m glad to hear you made your decision. You’ll be so busy now with packing and all that you won’t have time to worry. :o) For the Birds is awesome!
Glad you have made the decision to move.
Try Melbourne Freecycle for moving boxes. I got mine through freecycle and once we’d finished with them I freecycled them on to someone else.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/melbourneozfreecycle/
In case you are not subscribed to freecycle already I should add, expect somewhere in the region of 100+ emails a day through Melbourne Freecycle! It is imperative to set up an email account just for your freecycle mail or your other mail gets lost in the confusion. You can get the daily digests but the sometimes come through too late.
Good way to get rid of stuff you don’t want to pack and move with you as well.
Just had taken a look at the pictures and i am sure you have made the right decision to move on. Goodluck with everything. Hugs.
For the birds is looking fantastic! I’ve never really looked closely at that one before.
It always feel better after you make a hard desicion! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers, dear!
Oh Anne, I am sorry that you have had such a hard time. I am glad you decided to move, those cracks are unbelievable! Hope things will smooth out a little more, since you have made some decisions. I am thinking of you. Your for the birds is very pretty!
(((hugs)))
I’m so glad you’ve made the decision to move, Anne – those cracks did not look good at all!!
Nice progress on your For The Birds too 🙂
Like everyone else, I am glad that you came to a decision to leave. I think that it is going to be better for you in the long run, even if the idea of leaving is scary right now. *hug*