So I think we found The House.
It's a three bedroom house with double garage, 2 bathrooms, good security, a nice garden, a khoi pond, a guest cottage and a pool 30mins from Steve's work (would be 10 without traffic). If you know Johannesburg, it's in Bordeaux in Sandton; very near to where Republic Road crosses Jan Smuts. It's so big and so lovely, I'm really thrilled!
Even though we don't have the 3 months' payslips and letters from previous lessor etc etc that they usually require the agent seems happy enough with what we can provide as well as with my credit check (thanks Dad for getting that credit card in my name when I was a student!!). We signed the lease agreement today but she will have to fax it to the owner in France to sign before it's official. We hope to be in there in February.
We are fortunate enough to have some furniture my sister left for us when she moved, and a good friend who is storing it for us, so we will have the essentials (i.e. somewhere to sleep and something to eat food off). The rest (that which we do not expect in the shipment of our UK stuff*) will have to be built up as time goes by and, more importantly, money is earned.
We had a quick look in Game (ha you just lost it ... so did I, damn) at appliances - sheesh they're expensive. The fridge I really really want is about R10 000. As I said; all in good time. We definitely won't be going out one Saturday on a home shopping spree and end up with a fully furnished house by the end of the weekend. As much as that is a really fun little fantasy of mine.
We gave the hire car back this morning so I don't have a choice other than to spend the next few days lounging around the house or pool and watching the DVDs my friend kindly lent me; woe is me :-D
More soon, if internet availability allows.
* don't even ask when that is likely to be.
Showing posts with label Househunting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Househunting. Show all posts
Saturday, 16 January 2010
Friday, 8 January 2010
Angels really are among us
So it's 8 days into the new year and we don't have a home, I don't have a job, our car is from a hire company, our belongings are still in storage in the UK, we don't have much cash and we don't have internet. I'm already pushing my luck with the amount of broadband I've used up of Steve's work mobile internet the company provides for him to dial in after hours.
And you know what? I can't remember the last time I was this happy or content.
Even while we were still in the UK, even when things there were hectic and stressful to get here, I had this inescapable feeling that I'm headed exactly where I need to be. And I knew that things like finding a place to rent would sort itself out (usually I would not be able to live my life with so many uncertainties).
Steve's colleague and friend, Leigh, offered us her spare room for as long as we need it and she's gone out of her way to make us feel like this is our home too. This has given us the freedom to look at properties until we find the right one, rather than feeling pressured into taking one just to get out from under her feet.
Leigh and I have also found much common ground as Christians and I believe we were brought into each other's lives at a time that we both would benefit greatly from mutual encouragement and prayer.
Her hospitality and generosity has made this period one of wonder and gratitude, rather than stress and desperation.
Steve seems to be doing well too, work is not as busy as it was in the dying throes of 2009 and he's actually even been sleeping well (this is a rarity for him). Don't misunderstand me, it is a big adjustment for him and he finds it hard at times - Christmas, for example, with so much family together made him feel the absence of his - but he seems to be settling in and there's a calmness about him which carries through into our relationship, which seems to be sailing along on smooth, clear waters after the storms and rapids of a stressful 2009.
I know I've been out of contact a lot but it's difficult right now, when I'm able I will make up for it and I do miss you, my friends.
So the bottom line is, we don't have a house yet although I'm looking at a number of places again today, but it's ok and we're doing very well.
And you know what? I can't remember the last time I was this happy or content.
Even while we were still in the UK, even when things there were hectic and stressful to get here, I had this inescapable feeling that I'm headed exactly where I need to be. And I knew that things like finding a place to rent would sort itself out (usually I would not be able to live my life with so many uncertainties).
Steve's colleague and friend, Leigh, offered us her spare room for as long as we need it and she's gone out of her way to make us feel like this is our home too. This has given us the freedom to look at properties until we find the right one, rather than feeling pressured into taking one just to get out from under her feet.
Leigh and I have also found much common ground as Christians and I believe we were brought into each other's lives at a time that we both would benefit greatly from mutual encouragement and prayer.
Her hospitality and generosity has made this period one of wonder and gratitude, rather than stress and desperation.
Steve seems to be doing well too, work is not as busy as it was in the dying throes of 2009 and he's actually even been sleeping well (this is a rarity for him). Don't misunderstand me, it is a big adjustment for him and he finds it hard at times - Christmas, for example, with so much family together made him feel the absence of his - but he seems to be settling in and there's a calmness about him which carries through into our relationship, which seems to be sailing along on smooth, clear waters after the storms and rapids of a stressful 2009.
I know I've been out of contact a lot but it's difficult right now, when I'm able I will make up for it and I do miss you, my friends.
So the bottom line is, we don't have a house yet although I'm looking at a number of places again today, but it's ok and we're doing very well.
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