It's been an idyllic week. A quiet Christmas Day spent with my grandmother and parents (Steve was working and sisters were in Hamtown with their inlaws) then a raucous Boxing Day with sisters and boys all present ( Read more... )

They've got the papers now, and unless they have any changes to our clauses today, due diligence will be Monday. One builder's report between us and freedom ( Read more... )

It’s been the most amazing weekend. On Saturday morning we woke up to the sound of birdsong (although if the mynahs could make sweet, sweet love a little further from our windows we’d be grateful) then got the trailer out and moved our bed from our place to mum and dad’s, then moved the twin beds we we’re sleeping in from mum and dad’s to our place ( Read more... )

Last night was not only the worst yet, it felt downright dangerous. I am once again at my parents’ computer, but this time I’m staying here. We fled our house - literally fled - at 6:30 this morning. We wanted to leave earlier but were afraid of drawing attention to ourselves. We won’t be staying another night in that house if we can possibly help ( Read more... )

Last night I put a chicken in the oven to roast at 7pm, at 200 degrees. An hour later the oven hadn't even warmed up and we realised the bottom element was broken. I had to rush out and get dinner for Steve and Kirsty our houseguest and I, then the music came on next door. We called Noise Control and went to bed a bit churned up, as usual. Then the ( Read more... )

( It's Friday night. )

So last night the tenants of one of the new state houses next to us turned their music on. We’ve met them a few times - a nice lady and her kids - so Steve went over to politely ask if they could turn it down. It was the lady’s scummy boyfriend (why do women countenance such dropkicks?) sitting there with the door open and the stereo blasting. ( Read more... )

It’s been a very strange couple of weeks. For a start, Steve’s been in Chicago so I’ve been trying to sell the house myself. And I did last week - only to have it fall over the next day. (The sale, not the house.) In the middle of this the hearing for the neighbours happened - and they were allowed to stay, as long as they “keep the peace of the ( Read more... )

Well people, there’s been some resolution on the house front. In a kind of non-resolution way. So here’s what happened. We complained about the hell neighbours. HousingNZ told them to shut up. They did… for a month. They told them to shut up again, and they were summoned to a mediation, which they didn’t bother turning up to. We submitted our ( Read more... )

It’s been a fascinating week. First of all, I was turned down for the job of my dreams, the job I’ve been chasing and wanting since I was 22. They invited me to interview before I’d even applied, and I was told I was one of the two frontrunners. I found out on Wednesday that I didn’t get it, and while I was briefly completely gutted, now I’m quite ( Read more... )