The Anniversary of Amanda' passing was two weeks ago and got through it OK. I seem to be spending most of my time walking my dogs with friends, socialising with friends and family, and driving my new vehicle to visit friends inlacing a few in the country. On my last road trip I even did about 100 miles on dirt/gravel roads and am blown away at how well it handles. This week I'm driving 300 miles down south to stay on a friends farm for a a few days. Will also try to do a bit more dirt roading. My dogs go with me everywhere and they have been saviours for me emotionally.
I've put Amanda's ashes in the front garden and planted some new roses she liked on top. The week before the anniversary I went away and came back on the actual day of the anniversay and saw the roses had just started to flower. I can also see the rose garden from my study as I type these words.
Still haven't found a home shop project that interests me. I keep looking at my saws that need attention but keep saying to myself "not yet". I've also sold my 15 year old Toyota HiAce Van as I had only done 2000 miles in it during the last year, and most of those miles was by family members using it to move "stuff". I haven't paid for hardly any fuel for it during that time as the deal with friends and relatives for using it was, "if you use it you return it full of fuel". It mostly sat in the driveway taking up space and was starting to rust - not an easy decision to sell, and while initially was sorry to see it go but now that its gone I don't miss it. If I end up needing to move milling gear or timber around I have a long drawbar 5x8 trailer which my Tesla can tow like it's not even on the back.
A couple of things I have had done aroundaround the house is get the 28 year old kitchen cupboards completely replaced (Amanda and I already had drawn up plans for this) and now I'm getting the house painted inside and out. It's very difficult to get decent trades people to do work around here. I got quotes for the kitchen in March this year and the renovators didn't started on it until early July and took 3 months to complete.
Here's a before shot of the kitchen - while it looks perfectly acceptable for a 28 year old kitchen the cupboards were badly water damage inside and that oregon bench top was cracked, chipped and dented in many places and I was sick of constantly resurfacing it.
Here is what it looks like now.
I kept all the built in appliances as the oldest was only 7 years old but I did get myself a new espresso machine which was 19 years old and on its last legs.
The particular house painter I wanted is fussy and very good but very hard to get hold of as everyone wants him to do their place. We asked him if he was available 4 years ago and he said to contact him in 12 months time. My "asking him" went on year after year until a couple of months back when he said I could start but only come 1-2 days a week which means it will take months to complete but he is worth it as his speciality is thorough preparation which my place really needs as some of it has not been painted for 40 years.
Thanks again for all your support.
