As a former city girl moving to a smaller town seemed like something a mad woman would do. Was I really that desperate for some peace and quiet and a slower pace of life?
Actually yes I was.
After years of living in the city it had began to lose its appeal.. Not that I was ever really big fan of it to begin with. The shops and cafes, lovely as they are, lose some of their appeal after years of constant noise, traffic, pollution and crowds. The pace of life that is one hectic rush, rush, rush.
After awhile it wears you down.
Not that any of it was helped by having a job that had for the last year been giving me constant stress. The job that I had once loved but that had in what almost seemed overnight had turned into a hellish nightmare of relentless change and stress. I wasn't of course the only one feeling it. Many of my colleagues were in the same boat with me. We were at least united in our disillusionment of the job and management. The job had become just that. A job.
Leaving it was a big step. But an oh so right one. Which in turn led to the next step - leaving the city.
It was a no brainer really. Both of us, my Other Half and I, had talked for years of the day we would flee to somewhere quieter. Somewhere where life was less of a rush and more one day at a time. And so the move was made.
Small town living is certainly different.
The people here are so friendly. Which is such a cliche and kind of nice but also kind of weird. In the city where everyone doesn't know your name or even care that you have name, you are invisible. Here in the country you are seen. They are friendly and helpful and nothing is too much trouble.
Like I said... weird.
I keep wondering if they are going to invite me over for dinner and then sacrifice me to the corn gods because surely people aren't that helpful? And yes I know I watch way too many movies.
Really though that's just the way people are in small towns. The slower pace of life means they can take the time to be helpful, offer a cheery hello and just be friendly.
Though if I see a corn field near by you won't be surprised if I run the other way.
We brought a house!
A surprisingly big house considering there is just the two of us. It has a garden and everything and it is all ours. Which is quite exciting as we have never had anything that was completely ours and ours alone. In the years my Other Half and I have been together we have rented, house sat, owned half a house, had a house that was owned by one of us but not the other and even been given a house, but we have never owned a house together.
And now we do.
As I said, exciting.
And in just one week of moving in it all already feels like home. There is something that is just so comfy about it. Despite the fact that we have the world's smallest kitchen.
I kid you not.
It is the size of a cupboard. A very large cupboard to be sure but still it is small. Two people cannot stand it comfortably without having body parts constantly touching each other which is okay when you're a couple but does making cooking anything rather awkward and a bit of a gymnastic act. But a teeny tiny kitchen is in the scheme of things nothing. Because a teeny tiny kitchen is still all ours.
The rest of the house more than makes up for having the world's smallest kitchen. We have two bathrooms. Two!
Okay one is ensuite but still two bathrooms. I now have bathroom that I can claim as completely my own and spread out all my beauty products and nail polishes of which I have many without Other Half complaining about the all the space being taken up. It's a win win for both us. He has his manly space and I have my girly space.
Absolute heaven.
I also now have a walk in wardrobe. Which I love and which I have also claimed as totally mine. Other Half doesn't mind as being a guy he just tends to throw all his clothes in a heap in the blanket box and pulls out random things to wear as he finds them. I on the other hand like space... and shelves... and rails. And did I say I love having a walk in wardrobe. Because I seriously do.
Having a garden is also nice.
It might need a serious weed and some tree pruning and digging out but it's a riot of colour and filled with veg for us to pick. Which we have been on a daily basis.
So that's one thing crossed of my 101 Things In 1001 Days list. Go me.
Well February went along a lot smoother than the previous months, which is kind of amazing considering how busy we were, what with travelling around the country for three quarters of it and then moving into our new home and all that that entails during the final week.
I'm looking forward to March being a lot quieter and a chance for some down time of just relaxing and pottering around.
As for last month's plans pretty much everything was achieved though the being frugal bit went totally out of the window and we ended up having a bit of spend, though as it was for stuff that was needed for the house I'm looking at it as completely justified, though I did manage to sneak in a couple of treats for myself. As you do.
Last month's reading was a bit flat so I'm hoping this month's choices will be a lot more interesting.
1. Queen Victoria's Matchmaking: The Royal Marriages That Shaped Europe / Deborah
Cadbury
I use to read a lot of history and biographies but for some reason I haven't read any
in awhile so I'm looking forward to getting stuck into this. Sometimes it's nice to go
back to something old and familiar.
2. Unprocessed: My City-Dwelling Year of Reclaiming Real Food / Megan Kimble
Yes another non-fiction book. I'm trying to read at least 10 this year that aren't
related to just knitting books so we'll see how this goes.
3. Where to Go When: The World's Best Destinations
Pretty pictures of places to visits. Sounds just like my sort of thing. And all in the
name of future holiday planning.
4. White Horse Alex Adams
End of the world? You just know I have to read it.
5. The wedding date / Jennifer Joyce
Sometimes you just need something light and fluffy and romantic and this sounds
like just the thing.
6. If You Don't Know Me By Now / A L Michael
Some more light and fluffy. You can tell I'm gearing up for my relaxation, blobbing
around the house mode.
7. Empire of the Tsars
Having caught some of this on TV I'm now keen to watch the whole series. Something
to get stuck into on a wet and windy day.
8. The Tunnel Series 3
I'd loved the first two series so I have high hopes for this one. I also have a little bit of
a crush of Stephen Dillane. Completely weird but true.
9. Mindhunter
After reading some excellent reviews about this I've added it to my watching list. A
good crime show is my jam after all.
10. 101 Things in 1001 Days
So far this is actually going quite well so I'm keen to push ahead a bit more while
it lasts.
11. Get Healthier, Eat Well and Get Fit
Not only has this totally blown up but it has also been stomped on. The past 12
months have not been good for my body or my mind so now that things are a bit
more settled I'm giving this a serious go and sorting myself out.
12. Being More Frugal
Definitely going to try much harder this month and hopefully I will get through it
without spending any money except on the necessities such as food and power and
Internet. Does chocolate count as a necessity?
