A farewell to Old Milney

So the big move is now only 2 sleeps away (I can here you all cheering 'will you just fecking move already!' - don't worry, I'm thinking it too). Although my excitement for moving into our first home, for operation one truck, for decorating my own space and for the next phase of my relationship is almost uncontainable, I feel it necessary in these last few days to farewell my current abode, Old Milney, and maybe pay homage to all those other houses that came before 'our first home'. 


In my little lifetime, there's been a lot of homes. 27 to be exact, in as many years. Split amongst two families (don't worry, I didn't actually move every single year, but at one point we did move several times in one). I'm from a family of itchy-feeters, of courageous individuals who take the step to change their lives with only the positives of the experience in mind. Some of these moves were not always completely thought out, some were intended to be stepping stones, and some were more of a forced matter. But things always worked out in the end and I love that courage, drive and sense of adventure about each and every one of my immediates and about myself too.

There has been houses by the beach, houses in the suburbs, big houses, small houses, farm houses. Homes in the country, city and in the bush. Old houses, new houses and friends' houses. Caravans, demountables, even buses and sheds. Homes with parents, friends, boyfriends and people met through Gumtree who then became friends. Each house, each location, each situation has taught me something different and has influenced who I am today. I am thankful for the varying experiences I've had thus far and hopeful that the next 28 years will bring others just as diverse. 

But Old Milney will always be my last rental. I spent two years here beneath the high ceilings, within the enormous suburban block (albeit mostly sandpit), perched comfortably on the elevated front porch overlooking the street from a small height. The porch at Old Milney was one of my favourite spots - probably the place I'll miss the most. It has seen many a party, heard many a tune and worn many a spilled beverage. Old Milney has been a place we've shared with friends and family and a space we've felt extremely comfortable in, despite the mice and pantry moths that come with an old girl like her.

While there will be a lot I won't miss about living here (rent inspections included), there will be a lot I will miss. I will miss the decorative ceilings, the fireplace (not that it worked), the sweet old original stove in the corner of the kitchen (not that it worked either), the art deco glass doors. I will miss the picture rails in every room from which I could hang whatever I wanted wherever I wanted, the crazy bright orange of the sleep out wall, the sweet picket fence. I will miss the big bedrooms, the real floor boards, the pretty front garden and steps up to the porch lined with all of my plant pots.

So thanks for the memories Old Milney, a place in my heart is stored for you forever.     

On the move

The first few months of this 2014 are all about moving for me.

I've already had a move of desk with my Comms team being moved into a different location in the building at work. Setting up my new work space made for an easy transition back into the world of work after a much needed two week break over Christmas.

Also in the world of work I'm having a move of positions; taking on an event management position that I'm really excited about and I'm sure will keep me very occupied this year.

I've had this little cyber move new Prickles and Pearls ofcourse, and i look forward to sharing so many things here this year.

But the biggest move of all is the one coming up in a mere 37 days. The one into our very own home! Our first home. Together. (You can read about my initial excitement about buying a house on Tumblr.) My sweet, sweet man MR and I bought a sweet little unit in November and on the 21st February we finally get the keys and will have a home to call our very own. A humble sigh of absolute bliss wells up and is expelled from me every time I even think about it. Our. Own. Home.

Both of us have moved one too many times before, so this time we want to make sure we're really organised for a (hopefully) seamless move. The goal: to get everything moved in one truck load. Whopa! Just like that. With us moving from a house into a unit, there is much clearing out, purging and selling to be done before the big move. Next to none of our furniture will fit in the unit so we're selling up and buying new which is a nice feeling. So it's been a busy start to the year putting Operation One Truck into motion. Sunday morning (at 5am!) with my car Sgt Peppers packed to the hilt, we went to the Swap Mart at Karrinyup and offloaded a bunch of crap bits and bobs to local bargain hunters. I parted with some things for an absolute steal but others I wasn't so willing to part with for nothing (like the Mollini shoes I'd worn once that someone offered me $5 for. I don't think so!). And later that day I posted a few pieces of furniture on Gumtree. By 9pm that night we'd sold both of our wardrobes, the spare bed, fridge, coffee table and bookcase. Winning!

The last few days have been mad with us cleaning out fridges and wardrobes, helping people remove furniture from our house, moving everything else around the house to get said furniture out. The house is absolutely filthy! But it is a freeing feeling watching things walk out the door. The physical watching of spaces freeing up, has freed up space in our minds to focus on other things as we get ready for our move - and that's the most exciting feeling of all. We're on the move!

Do you find moving exciting or daunting? Any words from the wise on minimalism?