Lock-down Day 74

I slept quite well, having decided on a solution of my problem here at home. I had some rather strange dreams, though, ha ha ha! I dreamed that I lived in a place that had a sunken room. That's the best way I can describe it, it was a fairly small square, about 3m squared, and sunk about 2 meter deep. It was covered with mesh, to prevent anyone falling in, and had some cushioning along the wall and on the ground. Ziva used that to walk down into it and back up. In hindsight, it sounds more like a cat playroom, doesn't it? Sort of the cat equivalent of a man cave, ha ha ha!

I've been looking at places available for rent, and there are quite a few places that look really lovely and are well within my budget. I'm now looking for 'perfect'. I'd rather not compromise this time. I know I've written glowing reviews of my current home - but it has quite a few short comings, which I've glossed over.

Remember, when I first moved in, I found it a lot less spacious than expected? They had give the square meter, which led me to believe it was larger than the flat in PE. Unfortunately they filled that extra space with extra walls.

This is a rough floor plan. The grey 'walls' are windows and the grey areas are built-in cupboards. It's not quite accurate, as the space in the kitchen is not that big. I put the dining table in there, and it just fits, though with space for me to walk around it. See that useless passage? It's just a waste of space, in my opinion. If I had designed it, I would have removed the wall between bedroom & kitchen, added a door from the lounge to the bathroom and made the kitchen open-plan to the lounge - with a passage. And, of course, I would have added windows on the left (on the right, is the main house) at least in the lounge, if not also in the bathroom.

The bathroom is beautiful, though! It's the most spacious bathroom I've ever had! And the bath is also the biggest I've ever enjoyed! That's what I fell in love with and what really attracted me to this place - and also why I've put up with all the restrictions put on my life. As well as the prompt repairs and the help in the garden with the watering weighed in favour of this place.

I put up with their loud music all day, most days. Their booming 'discussions' - they both have extremely loud voices! I put up with the constant shouting at me - though I wish he would go back to discussing reasonably, when he has a problem, like he did in the beginning. I put up with removing my own waste - even though that should, by rights, have resulted in a reduction in rent. Especially since I give him all my recyclables, for which he does get money.

But if I'm not allowed to bath? And I've just bought a lot of lovely bath soaks and foam baths! He could have discussed this with me, and I'm sure we could have come to an amicable agreement - but to just turn off my water? Without warning, and without even the courtesy of TELLING me - if I hadn't asked, I wouldn't have known!

And remember he mentioned that my electricity usage was higher than he had anticipated, and I conceded that it was because I was still using electricity for cooking more than the gas, as I wasn't used to gas? And I offered to pay, and even paid in retrospect? Well, I haven't used electricity for cooking for over a year now - only very rarely - so my electricity usage must have dropped. Yet I'm still paying the same amount!

Okay, enough of that. Just one more point: because of the above, I have absolutely no scruples about planning to move when the rental market is at rock-bottom for landlords! When they won't be able to advertise it for the same rent I'm paying, but will have to drop it substantially, if they hope to find a tenant! Oh, I know they'll retaliate by coming up with deductions from my deposit - but this time, I will insist on seeing the receipts! They must produce receipts for 'repairs' they want to deduct!

I've spent some time deciding on the criteria for my next home - especially since I didn't want to ever have to move again! Well, I've decided that I want a gas stove again. It is substantially cheaper than electricity! And I'm learning all the tricks to compensate for the differences in baking. I also want a bath AND shower. I don't mind if they're combined, like in PE. The bath shouldn't be the material like in PE, which drains all the heat from the water within minutes! A smaller bathroom will be fine - because the downside of this large one is, that you step out of a steaming hot shower or bath into a cold bathroom. Smaller bathrooms tend to steam up, so the room isn't that much colder. And the kitchen should be open plan. I really miss being able to listen to or watch my PC while I'm puttering in the kitchen. Here, it's across the passage and all I hear in the kitchen is my landlord - either their music or their 'discussions'. Depending on the layout, I may even put my bed into the lounge again. If that's spacious enough, one bedroom will do - I'll need one room for 'storage', for the boxes I haven't space to unpack. Either a 2nd bedroom or, if I can move the bed into the lounge, then the bedroom. It should, of course, be situated away from the road; or at worst on a very quiet road. My cats must be safe! That's going to be the most difficult criteria: finding a place that allows 4 cats AND is safe for them and for me. Secure. Plus, I'll want a garden where I'm allowed to plant what I wish. Vegetables, flowers ... like I've done since PE.

At first I thought of restricting my search to this area - but then I remembered, if I move elsewhere, I could eliminate the daily toll gates! That would be a nice monthly cost saving! So I'm casting my net further afield. I'll keep you updated!

I got up around eight this morning, having been up around four already. I didn't even make myself coffee, I drove straight to work to collect my deliveries, hoping to enjoy my first cup of filter coffee! When I got home, I was a little disappointed at how small the coffee maker is! Ah well. But then I read that I should first wash it with warm water, and then discard the first coffee I make with it! I guess it'll have to wait until tomorrow, then.

I've carried everything inside, unpacked and packed most of it away. I'm really sad about all my bath goodies now ... I also wasn't able to find space, yet, for all the flour. But if I pack the juicer away again, I'll have space. Now I want to get the coffee maker ready for it's first real use!

Okay, first coffee made and discarded. What I feared has happened: The coffee maker is too small to stand on the grid around the flames. So I'm using a cookie cooling tray to place it on. It's now cooling down, so I can wash it and maybe just make myself my first coffee today, after all! I've decided to take a shower while I wait for it to cool.

Hmmm ... I'm somewhat disappointed now. The 3-cup coffee maker produces about half a cup of coffee! I thought as much, when I saw the size ... those so-called 3 cups are about the same as 1 cup of that cappuccino I bought. That's 75ml, then you add the same amount of hot water = 150 ml. I just checked the box, it really says 3 cups. I can only assume they are talking about those 1-sip espresso cups. I haven't made up my mind about the taste, yet. My taste buds are not the best, especially now I'm smoking this crap. I'll have another go tomorrow!

Oh my word! Mini just brought in a pigeon! Alive! The bird was almost as big as she is! I managed to get it away from her, carry it outside and set it free - but, gosh that little girl is impressive! Okay, so I got a claw in my finger for my efforts, and growled at, but that's understandable!

While I was at work, I had a quick word with my boss, asking if he'd help me move again, when it comes to it. He said that should be fine. Not now, of course - he can't afford it now anymore than I can! I'm most sorry about the milk farmer ... that was the main reason I first considered finding something near here.

Apart from Mini, mippies are all out and about. I'll give them a little more time, then I'll call them.

The court case about the ban on the sale of cigarettes will be heard tomorrow. It's looking good for us smokers. I suppose they will rule on Wednesday, but I have no idea how long it would take, if they rule to lift the ban, until we can buy cigarettes again. With my current stock on everything else, that's the only item I would need to buy this month. Maybe even longer. Oh, and Iams Multi-cat. The 3kg won't last out the week.

Oh, and last night I was pleased to see Mini washing Mewthos! Finally! She's being included in the lick-festivals! She was also getting a few licks from Ziva! Progress!

I've decided that, if they lift the ban, I'll pack this crap away with my curtains. For emergencies. I don't like what this crap is doing to me. I'm smoking less, in terms of cigarettes, but actually more, in terms of nicotine & tar. But, considering the price I paid, I can't afford to throw them away! Man, I just hope they lift that ban!

Mippies came home without trouble, except for Ziva. Half an hour later, and we're still waiting for Ziva! Not nice! And I'm getting worried now ...

It's over an hour, and still no Ziva. I've been to the door, calling, back inside, mindlessly scrolling through Facebook ... waiting, waiting ... back to the door, calling ... I'm seriously worried now. And there is nothing I can do! It won't help going outside looking for her, because I just don't know where they go!

An hour and 40 minutes later ... I go stand by the door again, looking, calling ... feeling hopeless and worried, when I hear a familiar mip! Ziva is home! Phew! I am VERY relieved! She, however, is quite restless. She went to eat, after which she started pacing around the flat. She jumped into her shelf, but didn't settle. She strolled into the lounge and came back, tried the kitchen, had some milk, and started pacing around the bedroom! I gave her a piece of cheese off my pizza, and now she's finally settling with the rest of the family, washing Mewthos!

I enjoyed a cup of chamomile tea, now I'm ready to join my mippies in bed. All four of them! I am still relieved that Ziva is home!