Moving to Melbourne

So, I am on the move to Melbourne, flying out on Thursday 6 December.  It will be wonderful to be in the same State as my kids again and of course my lovely grandchildren.  Selling the house and packing up is a huge step for me now that I am on my own and I am missing Roger and his help very much.  He was always good at packing and calming me down!!  But I am getting there slowly and I don't feel overwhelmed, thankfully.

I received an offer on the house on 30 October, 10 days after Irene put it on the market.  I put so much pressure on her to get it on the market after I returned from Europe and then a quick trip to Melbourne from 11-16 October.  But we did it together and I am very pleased with the outcome.  A young 32yr old man has bought the home and will live in it.  In my heart I really wanted to sell it to someone that would live in it and not rent it out, but Irene kept telling me the one with the highest offer is the best!!

Now I have the task of finding a little home in Melbourne.  Glenda & Tom have found a unit which they know I will like.  It will be auctioned next Saturday 1 December, so we will see.

I am having highs and lows at the moment, which is to be expected as I near the anniversary of Roger's death on 15 December.  I still miss Roger very, very much but after my trip to Europe I feel I am better able to get on with my life, which is a big plus.  

I've recently had 2 young 21 yr old German guys staying with me for 6 days.  They have working permits for Australia and are looking for jobs.  I gave them a timeline for staying as I really needed to get on with my packing and not entertain/look after young men!!  They were enjoying the 'home away from home' a little too much.  They left Friday to stay in a backpacker hostel.  Hostels are far too expensive here in Perth.  It is quite ridiculous.  I am surprised the boys didn't check out accommodation before they left Germany, but I think they have rose coloured glasses on really!!

I enjoyed my first Thanksgiving Dinner the other day and it was very special.  Of course I ate too much!

I've only been for 1 swim this summer.  The weather has been unseasonably cool in Perth.  I would love to get some morning swims in, but looking at the weather forecast, I don't think this is going to happen.  But Irene & I did enjoy 4 hours down at Cottesloe the other Friday.  Picnic lunch, 2 swims, 2 games of Chinese Checkers and lots of talking with 3 cups of tea!!  Very special.

My Beloved Family

Tim, Amy & Chloe spent 2 beautiful weeks with me recently here in Perth.  What an absolute joy and delight it was for me to have them in my little home, especially as they would be my last visitors before my big move to Melbourne.  Oh how I enjoyed being Nanna to 5 month old Chloe with lots of cuddles, walks and babysitting.  I loved spoiling the family (or trying to) with cooking (something I am not doing a lot of these days) and generally trying to give them a good holiday in Perth.  Unfortunately the weather was not warm enough for swimming which was a big disappointment for them as they wanted to introduce Chloe to the ocean and of course we wanted to see her in her new bathers that I bought her in Rome (remember the pictures I posted after my trip to Rome?!!!).  Oh well.  

Amy had the phone ready to capture this beautiful photo !

I love this face.

Tim & Amy at King's Park.  We had a picnic lunch there.

This is my 500th post!!  Wow!  (Actually it has taken a bit long!  I have been trying to blog since April 2006!!).