Writer, Editor, Stand-Up Comedian

Moving house

Posted: August 13th, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Editorial | Tags: , , | 6 Comments »

So the last few weeks of my life–nearly a month, now–have been consumed with moving house.

I lived in Diego Martin for about six years and my rent increased pretty much annually. This year I knew I had to make some changes, because, despite quitting my regular job to take a chance on the NGO I founded, I plan to send my elder daughter off to school in Foreign. Do the maths: less income and more expense. Something had to give and that something turned out to be rent.

My new apartment is still a work in progress. It is a two-bedroom in Petit Valley (in the kind of neighbourhood that had the kind TSTT lady saying, when I called to change my service address, “You sure you want to live there?”) and so far, so good. My younger has school friends in the area and, to be honest, once the DVD player and the computer are working, she’d live in the pit of hell for all she cares. My elder, ditto, except you can substitute flushing toilet for DVD player.

We haven’t fully unpacked yet. The dozens of boxes, bin liners and reusable HiLo bags into which I packed up my life are mostly empty, but since one of things we haven’t got yet is shelving, there are some key items still wrapped up in cardboard and packing tape. The amenities are not what I’m used to, but then I have to remind myself that I grew up sharing a bedroom with two sisters, my mother and my brother, without indoor plumbing or a TV for most of my childhood. It’s all relative. You’d be amazed at what  you can get used to, either way.

As I wait for the completion of our apartment, grimy from concrete dust and ducking the damned bat that refuses to understand that humans live here now, I count my blessings. Health, happiness, a life mission, good friends and a lot of family support are not all I have. I also have a roof over my head–even if I do have to share it with the bat for now.


6 Comments on “Moving house”

  1. 1 Cheryl Wright said at 6:53 pm on August 13th, 2010:

    Well Lise girl, it’s new beginnings all round.

    Happy house-settling-in darhlin.

  2. 2 gab hosein said at 7:06 pm on August 13th, 2010:

    lise, i’ve had powerful moving country and house experiences too…and oh the boxes…they are so symbolic…one marked sea, one marked plane, one marked to give away….one’s life in boxes…first packed, then unpacked…quite an experience!

    you have roof, chirren and life…and an ngo starting! give thanks!

  3. 3 Annie Paul said at 7:51 pm on August 13th, 2010:

    Hey Lisa,

    Thanks for sharing this. nice to be able to keep track of your movements this way, and its a gr8 record of the kind of adjustments we all must make.

    Attack the bat with loud dancehall music. sorry that’s redundant, blast some dancehall, it will disorient his sonar and he will take off like a bat out of hell…

  4. 4 Mystie said at 8:08 pm on August 13th, 2010:

    Don’t duck the bat…it will duck u 😉 Enjoy the adventure!

  5. 5 Nigel Campbell said at 10:08 pm on August 13th, 2010:

    Good luck with the move. Don’t be out of touch!

  6. 6 Nicole Castor said at 10:29 pm on August 13th, 2010:

    Thanks for the post Lisa! Wishing you all the luck as you settle in. Make sure to dance in every room – then you know you’re home for sure.

    This was timely for me as I am just considering downsizing. It feels right to lighten my load on many levels. And it feels scary, too. Congrats on taking that step – may you land in abundance. Bless.


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