This week we moved house. After eight weeks in one place we felt very comfortable and settled. Unfortunately, the house owners could not be induced to extend their trip – we tried 🙂
Due to a rather complicated set of circumstances we now find ourselves sharing a house with a number of other people and animals. Thankfully, the animals are the four legged kinds of various species.
What is proving to be a really “interesting” experience is having other people in our space. Now, while they’re very friendly, helpful and thoughtful, they are 21 years old. (Does that sound like it’s mutually exclusive?)
So, the house is now filled with people. We’re definitely into having our own space and so being back in a situation where we need to check things like whose food is filling the fridge and who gets to choose the TV program is something we haven’t had to deal with since our student days.
Those of you thinking “this just sounds like having the kids at home” have missed a couple of vital points.
Firstly, as mentioned above they’re “friendly, helpful and thoughtful” so that precludes comparison with living with your own children.
Next, the food does belong to others and there is the general recognition that you need to check whose it is before taking it. Doesn’t sound anything like your kids does it?
“So what’s the challenge?” you ask. Just the thing of having to check in with others before you do anything. Who’s about to do cooking (this kitchen just ain’t big enough for the five of us), booking in the use of the washing machine, who does the dishes – now there’s a big one, and all those other little things you need to sort out when living with other people.
I know, I know – you have the same “discussions” with your husband, wife, partner, spouse but Danita and I had settled into a good working relationship (she works and I relate – nah!!!) and now having to factor in other people has been a shock to the system. Mind you they are great to have around when you’re totally stuck trying to get the Mac to save what you’ve just spent an hour writing.
The other thing that’s interesting is that when I turned 60 recently it was pointed out to me it was the new 50, 40 or 30. No one wanted to go back to 20. Now we’re living in a household of 20 year olds I’m not so sure it was such a bad time – sleep till lunchtime, someone else funds your living expenses, attend classes occasionally and basically doing your own thing. If not for the hormones it seems quite pleasant.
Anyway, for us we’ve got another couple of weeks in student digs and then it’s off to Melbourne & Perth to see the family.