It’s a late Saturday afternoon, I’m sitting on the sofa with the cat perched quietly on my lap. I’m dozing in and out and enjoying the solitude of being away from customers and the regular chores. Finally it’s the weekend and I don’t have to lift a finger.
I’m loving living in our unit complex, theres no lawns to mow and the gardens are so easy care. Elena’s lounging on the other sofa with her cute little reading glasses on browsing the internet. There’s not a sound as we just lounge around our own tranquil space.
Elena’s browning the real Estate websites, as she often does looking for bargain properties, but today’s search is a little different. She’s searching for home and income properties, and has discovered a little gem that’s not too far from our place.
“We should get my sister and her family to buy it, and we could move in downstairs” were the world being excitedly exchanged from the other side of the room. I’m now coming our of that peaceful slumber, to a conversation that was almost predetermined by my over excited wife.
“Look at this place, it’s great…. pool, rumpus room…..” I’m already now rising to slump on the couch next to her. Putting on my reading glasses to study the write up and comprehend the pro’s and con’s. It’s been a few years since we lived with children and to be honest, there not the tidiest people, but for a brief moment I do see the merit as we’re trying to save money for our long term life goal of retiring early to go traveling.
The conversation tapers off and we continue to rest up for the afternoon and nothing more is said. It’s almost forgotten, that is until we’re visiting their place and I’m perched on the same stool at the end of the breakfast bar as I always do. I know my place, it’s been the same stool for the last 5 years as there place is always cluttered. Talking turns to Elena mentioning this great house and proceeds to whip out the mobile and show them the pictures. Now there interest is pricked.
To cut a large segment of the story (involving a deal that went sour) and fast forward 6 months, we suddenly get asked to go check out an open home on a traditional Hi-Set house that the in-laws are interested in. And within a matter of weeks we’re looking at moving in down stairs.
The weekend is now here and we’re moving in 2 days time! We have no kitchen, the floor is not finished, the bathroom upstairs is ripped out , so we’ll have Mum, Dad and the 3 children (12-2 and a few weeks old) traipsing in and out using the shower downstairs. I might add that this shower room is not yet painted (only undercoated!). There are no curtains up and the wires are not connected to any light switches.
I’m majorly stressed out, and all I hear is “Think of the money we’ll save towards our retirement”.
So, if any of our readers live with family, please give any tips on your very own survival.
Bring on 2020