Starting to feel like home

Since we moved, 7 months ago, this is the first time our house is really starting to look and feel much more like a house. I mean, I cannot begin to tell you how disorienting it can be to go through our routine in a maze of boxes and furniture that have been temporarily placed, on standby, because something else needs to be moved so we can put it away. Never did my mum' saying of "tidy home, tidy mind" makes so much sense!

I finally have a kitchen. And although it is not yet in its final stage (some decorating is incomplete), I can now move and can find every single ingredient. I have the gas hob I was hoping for so long (I'm sorry, I refuse to cook with an electric hob), a built-in double oven (no bending needed!), and a dishwasher is in (OMG, the gift of time!). Little things make such a big difference. Cooking is now on full gas for me. For someone that is not a born cooker, efficiency makes cooking so much more possible!

The washing also became less of a chore. We now have space to deal with the laundry. And with the solar panels installed, given the current recession, we are starting to make good use of our energy, which will help cut down our bills for years to come. Very proud to be part of the good statistics, for once.

In between all this work, I still managed to fit in a quick annual catch-up trip with my bestie to Alberobello, in Italy. It was a little bit more stressful than usual, as I felt tenser than last year, with the house move, and a lot going on at work. Nonetheless, it is also good to spend some time together and enjoy some downtime away from the family. No "mummy" jibberish. Only sun, memories, laughter and red wine!