counting down to xmas!

Once again the year has flown by and as it nears xmas, I take stock of where I am and what I have achieved: 1) house building - the saga continues, the journey is long and we were always in it for the long haul. Since my last post, we have sold our current principle residence and are now renting back from the new owner with a clause in the contract of sale that we can rent up to 3 months from settlement date. We are about 2 months into that... everything is almost done, we are awaiting the interim occupation certificate now but its really dragged out much longer than we imagined house renovating - we have since had our other investment house renovated thanks to my extended family and just a fortnight ago obtained a tenant! It was a super fast turn around, we signed up with the agent that sold our house and within 2 days, they turned around the property to get a tenant who moved in 4 days later at a higher rent than what we expected which was tremendous news! I should add that the auction of our current principle residence while resulted in a profit, was not as heated or exciting as we had hoped. It did not make our reserve of 950K and we were optimistic of making the 1 million mark but it was not to be. Still, it was good to not have to worry about open houses every weekend. 2) work- I have since passed the 9 month mark but it really feels like 5 years. I know my heart isn't in it and I keep urging myself to look to the positive. I don't feel I belong although all the signs are there for a long and reasonably easy extended stay there. Thoughts of leaving give me hope so I believe it is only a matter of time (once we move to the new house) before I move on although I dread the goodbyes and disappointing anyone there. I keep telling myself the work is interesting and that I am learning a lot, which I am but something is still missing and I'm not entirely sure I will find it back at my old workplace. 3) kids - always my light and my joy, i'm now in preparation to move them to the new school. We met the new principal who seems a little more proper than our current principal. I will miss our current little school but onwards and upwards. Kids at school have told my kids they will be missed which is sad, hopefully they will make just as great friends in the new school 4) in laws - in a complete unforeseen turnaround, my father in law is seemingly well installed in the new nursing home. While I am at times sorrowful and wracked with mild guilt that he is there, there is much less friction in the house hold and he also seems quite busy with his social group at the home as well. I am now counting down to the end of the year, where I hope it will signal a time to enjoy the hard work we have put in this year. It has been a hard slog but also a rewarding one. The year has been a tumultuous one for many of my friends, I have seen break ups, separations, changes in jobs, new homes, many new beginnings. I hope next year is a settling one.

Milestone achieved! the big four O

So here I am a few days after hitting the big one. Let's reflect again: 1) House building - bricking is complete, we couldn't get our original 3rd choice brick as it was out of stock but as compensation was able to get our 2nd choice more expensive brick for the same upgrade price as the cheaper 3rd choice brick. Hubby was happy, I was uncertain of the colour as the second choice brick was quite dark. But fast forward to the finished product and its looking pretty schmick :) Interior gyprocking has started and we were also able to go with a cheaper tiler so able to save some there which is great! 2) Work - so I"m getting more money, but not enjoying the new team as much as my old. People are nice enough but more males and developer oriented. Really immature agile development team. Making friends but I could be happier. Potential to hire a friend but unsure if I should bring her in to a place that I"m not looking to stay long in but I've given her the true picture and its her choice. Obtained scrum master certification and entertaining ideas of moving more into this space. Still planning to try contracting. 3) Kids - still gold and my pride and joy. As long as they are good, life is good. Daughter started kindy and is performing with flying colours. Son is doing just as well as always and is a good little boy. Both open to the school change which is good to hear but we will see 4) Health - so much for new year's resolutions. Seem to have put on some extra layering since trip to Hong Kong (too much good eating) but will attempt to start some activity soon. 5) Personal life - hubby and I also celebrated our 10 yr anniversary with a family photo shoot. Looking forward to putting the pictures up in the new house. My birthday celebrations were awesome, awesome, awesome. Surrounded by a good range of friends who all played well together and had a lot of fun together. Only just made it past midnight after spending some time lying on a couch only to be glared at by security hahaha top night! Making new friends and still catching up with old ones so I am feeling a lot of love. 6) Inlaws - Amazingly father in law has now moved out to retirement home so its now a happy and more relaxed home. Some teething problems with the transition but as to be expected. Mother in law's health doesn't seem to be so good and it has been quite a sharp turn there so will see if it improves. Brother in law has bought a house and looking to move in within the next month. Nephew still attending speech therapist. Speech has improved but behaviourally still behind 7) Retirement plans - still looking to sell our current house when we move into new one but first will have to sell brother in law's house when he moves out so some renos to be done there in preparation. Goal is to still buy two investment properties in the next year, hopefully both in WA, while I am on a permanent salary. Happy to say that at this junction of my life, I am about 95% happy. I do regret not staying at my old job to at least take out long service. That was an silly emotional decision to leave. It was a decision made against what my heart told me. But lesson learned and the worse case scenario isn't that bad. Til next time :)