Day 90 of 100, Monday 21st January

Another none-too-early morning, but not too late, either. I’ve discovered the cat pee smell seems to be coming from my jersey! I suppose that it’s part of Mewthos’ twirling ritual, so I had better only wear that one when it’s fresh out of the wash! He was twirling it fiercely again this morning.

Our gardener brought me the black bags the municipality tossed into my garden, he’s working for one of Rose’s acquaintances today, but will be using my courtyard to change, keep his stuff and use some of my tools.

I’m not sure where I should start today – I MUST secure the place today. I’ve tried calling the boss’ wife again – but again, no answer. I took a walk in the garden, tickled loads of tummies which rolled under my feet! Picked some more Vieruurtjie seeds – but the sun is really blazing hot! Even the mippies seek the shade!

Next week! It’s all going to happen next week! And I still have to make so many arrangements based on accurate data – which I just don’t have! I just got an SMS from the boss’ wife, she’s asking someone else to help with my accommodation, since it’s all too much for her right now. Not meaning to be nasty, but if you leave things till the last minute, that’s bound to get too much! And what about me? Seriously, if you don’t keep following up on promises people make – they’d probably blame me for not keeping their word! Good thing I started pushing when I did – or I would have arrived in Pretoria to find myself in the deep end!

Well, she sent no contact details for the person who’s supposed to be helping – I considered asking for them, but decided not to bother. Having to depend on someone I know was bad enough, I’m not going to make myself dependent on a total stranger! Since I’ve already had to take matters into my own hands, I might as well follow through to the bitter end! Well, not bitter end, but you get my drift.

That’s the second time I’ve been promised help, which never happened. First time it cost me very, very dearly – since it directly resulted in my being in a Bed & Breakfast during an armed robbery.

I tried calling my boss – no answer. Then I called the owner and while I was talking to her, my boss called back – this time, I couldn’t answer! Ha Ha!

I had a long chat with the owner, she tells me the lounge and kitchen are separate. She said that the front door opens into the lounge, then there’s a passage into the kitchen. Huh? I think she also said that from the kitchen you get to the bedroom and from the bedroom into the bathroom! That sounds a little strange to me … I wonder whether there will be any problems carrying furniture to the bedroom? Well, I’ll deal with that when I get there! I asked about temporary storage – I’m thinking of taking the stove with me and selling it there – she says that’s no problem! Then she asked about my washing machine and told me her husband is a plumber, so he will fit whatever is needed for a professional set up! She specifically mentioned that the outlet wouldn’t go into my sink! Awesome! They have a borehole, so water shouldn’t be an issue – ever! I’d be sharing the geyser with the main house, but she said it’s a large geyser – and since I bath or shower in the evenings, whereas most people do that in the mornings, I don’t foresee any problem. Internet should also be fine, my current data-provider has reception there – she uses them herself.

She’ll mail me the exact directions, followed by a photo of the entrance from the street. They don’t have a floor plan, so I’ll let that be a surprise! She’ll also mail me their contract – which they’ve had an attorney set up for them (a six month contract, she said) as well as their banking details for the deposit and rent.

I discussed my plans to move in on Monday – and she said she’ll have the place thoroughly cleaned in time for my arrival (Bonus!) and they also have staff who will help with the offloading! Another bonus! I know that on such isolated places they don’t like to give strangers a chance to have a look around – that’s unfortunately one of the things in the new South Africa. Too much affirmative shopping (aka robberies).

I can get fresh produce every Saturday morning at the Auction – I remember that from way back when! Although we never went there regularly, only as an outing once in a while. Ha Ha, my sister once bought a donkey there for 10c! But I’m told they have loads of tables and stands where the farmers sell fresh milk, butter, fruit and vegetables.

She also told me that the old road has been upgraded and is much safer again – at one time it was a black hole, where criminals took whichever car they liked! But she said she travels the route herself every day. She does all her shopping in Sinoville, which is on the north-eastern side of Pretoria and not far. We used to go there as well, back in the early 80s.

I heard Rose outside, so I went to visit her to tell her the latest update! While I was there, the person who’s now been asked to look for a place for me called to say she had sent me mail.

Back upstairs, I’m looking at her mail and it’s actually quite suitable! Which surprised me. It’s cat friendly, near work, and the photo’s she sent look quite okay. Though there’s only a small garden – half of which is paved. The rent is less than the one I found, but excludes electricity AND water! So it would actually work out more expensive. And the kitchen is not well designed, with cupboards in the corner UNDER a fitted counter – you have to crawl to reach that one. I also don’t see a stove or oven, nor fittings for one nor anything for a washing machine. It also says full bathroom – but I only see a bath, no shower. And I’d be doing my regular Yoga there, to dry myself. Hang on, it looks like there’s a possible shower fitting over the bath? But no means for a shower curtain, so I must be mistaken. Anyway, I’m not taking that!

Argh! Twit agent called! Waffle, waffle, waffle, must inspect this week, waffle, waffle, waffle. Set a date for tomorrow at three in the afternoon. Now go and join your fellow road-kill!

Next, I replied to the colleague, thanking her for her kind efforts and let her know that, since time is running out, I’ve made the decision to take one of the places I had found on Thursday.

I’ve just read the lease agreement – and I have a few questions, mainly it stipulates that I agree not to smoke inside the premises, which I’m not willing to sign. I’m not falling for that one again! There’s also a clause that rent increases 10% per annum – which I’m not sure whether I should speak up about that now, or wait until I’m on site and have met the owners? The lease is only for 6 months anyway, and the first increase only comes into effect in 12 months, so let’s leave it for now.

My boss just called back … he’s planning to send the truck on Monday! Load Tuesday and drive Wednesday! That throws all my preliminary planning out the window! Plus, of course, it pushes my time table up – instead of 10 days, I have 7 days, exclude today and we’re down to 6. My head is spinning, so I go visit Rose to calm down.

Now that she’s in the picture, and I’m a teeny bit calmer, time to get to work. No physical work today, firstly it’s already too late to start anything and secondly it’s been another scorcher! So I start with that form the agency wants – they want a certified copy of my bank account details. I could arrange to have the bank e-mail them an original – but you know what these kind of people are like: If they say copy, they want a copy. And if they say certified copy, then an original certainly won’t do! Better have it ready than have to even discuss it. Normally one prints a copy of one’s statement and has the bank stamp it … hmmm, but that’s also an original, not a certified copy? That’s what I needed for my drivers licence renewal. Well, I’ll go to the bank tomorrow morning and have them stamp that printout – at least it’s not a statement, those nosey parkers don’t need to see my bank balance or transactions!

While I’m busy online with the bank, Lady Jane decides she’d like to pick a fight with Tontos – but since Tontos isn’t coming to her, she’s trying to get next door! She can get up and over the fence from this side – but once there, she can’t get back! And she was so intent on her purpose, she did not listen to my calls – fortunately Rose was on her porch and managed to go there and lift her off the fence! That girl really is fearless!

Well, I’ve got documents printed and ready to be stamped – off to the bank tomorrow morning. Not too early, sigh, since they only open at nine, I just hope I can get away!

I had sent a message via facebook to Earls’ new home – she replied we could visit anytime. I gave Rose her WhatsApp number, so she can get directions & arrange a time that suits her. Rose also messaged me that her daughter can have a stash of biscuits ready for me to pack and take with me! I don’t want to live without my morning treat!

Mippies came inside without any trouble again! Wonderful! I gave them two treats and – apart from Mewthos – they’re happy. I sat down and played with them for a bit, but Mewthos is in a funny phase – he seems to need lovies and lovies and lovies!

I took a shower, and now I feel much better. Today was really awfully hot! When I came out, I found Ziva in my folded laundry bin – not the large white one, the little grey plastic one! Mewthos was on my desk chair and Lady Jane on the sleeper couch. My armchair was cat-free, ready for me! I took a photo of this rare occasion!

Rose said the weather should cool down a lot tomorrow – I hope that comes true, because I’ll want to do as much of the packing and cleaning as I can tomorrow. Sigh – I was so nicely ahead of schedule, then my boss goes and changes it! Now I have to catch up again – but it shouldn’t be too much. I’m not thinking clearly at the moment – it’s been a very stressful three months for me! There really isn’t much left to do, just odds and ends, which shouldn’t take even a full day! I’ve just listed everything I’d like done tomorrow – specifically the little odd things I might forget. I’ve also checked my data – it’s much lower than it should be, probably all the photo’s I’ve had to view. It should last till end of Feb, so I can sort that out in Pretoria.

Right, now I must switch off my mind, relax and pretend everything is well so I can sleep. I’ll take advantage of my armchair being cat free, have my evening ice cream and watch Doctor Who.