Hot off the Press

OK, by the end of this post! Watch how I smash shout outs to my Little Red Truck guys, me Mum (Yes, on purpose) and my carers and a few special time-poor friends who never fail to deserve my thanks!

Monday! The start of the big moving week. I take possession of my new home. An apartment on the second floor of a six-story building. I’ve never done such high density living and I have paid my first month’s rent but was given grace to get bond assistance. Made a call and found out I didn’t get it. The whole process of being able to keep a roof over my head is the most soul-destroying balance of proving I can afford the rent on my income. Rent must be less than 55% of my income, but I had to prove I earn less than $48,000 yearly. (What I could do with that!) and apparently, I earn too much to qualify for bond assistance! It’s fucking ridiculous……….

Now I have to find money for bond and to pay my removalist. I know I haven’t mentioned, but in my family, works on guilt. My mum travels often to do whatever needs doing no matter how financially strapped she is or how unwell or exhausted she might be. It’s a true testament to a mother’s love. My father doesn’t. He previously was able to contribute a little financially to my staying out of a group home that would have me go crazy! Or a nursing home, same result! My younger sister has actually assisted with some short-term loans, which feels so wrong. And my older sister who lives the closest to me will, help on the day.

By the end of Monday, my mum had managed to have my father help me with the bond and the removalist costs and I think he has disowned me because he feels I cost him too much money. If you can’t shake the funding out of a tree for people like me? Shouldn’t I be able to call on family?

Tuesday, moving day woke at 5.30am, at 7am, just gave up on sleep and got up. Didn’t stop all day. Everything I picked up was too heavy but I managed to stop myself from lifting my slow cookers or my LeCruset pot! (So heavy!) My moving guys came in the form of the Little Red Trucks! Two trucks by the names of RZA and GZA, (members of the rap group Wu Tang Clan), and Lenny and Carl (apparently the lovable duo who hangs out at Moe’s Tavern on the Simpson’s. My guys in red on the day were Dylan, Rory, Henry and Rohan.

I first used Little Red Trucks was two moves ago when the guy I booked (the only person who is primarily booked by low-income people and funded by the NGO’s) stood me up by six hours. By the time I heard from this guy he told me he had been to the hospital he was so sick, by that stage I had not wanted to hear from him, I wanted to hear from his next of kin to tell me he had died! I felt it was the only reasonable excuse for not turning up!

When I first used the Little Red Trucks, they only had three trucks. Two of the trucks were called Hall and Oats, Salt n Pepper and I can’t recall the other. The drivers are all in bands, so it provides them with a regular income from a day Job. The first guy I dealt with years ago was also a carpenter. The trucks are traditionally named after musicians who have influenced them. I don’t get the Simpsons reference, but anyway. Having 4 guys made it very quick and efficient!

I hope you are aware, I’m a real ‘housey’ kinda girl so I have a lot of things. On the day, as I was going from a three-bedroom unit that felt like a house, to a two-bedroom two bathroom less than 5-year-old apartment. So, down-sizing!

I issued a warning early: Any mention of ‘she has too much stuff’, it’s too small, it’s not going to fit! you owe me a dollar. I needed to set the standards early. My older sister arrived on time an hour after the guys and She pulled the last of everything all together. While my sister was demanding where some last-minute things could or would go, I introduced her to one of the guys, it went something like this, I was going to mention someone looking a bit like me but grumpier would arrive soon. She let out a “Hey!”, I turned to Dylan with the prosecution rests. All in good fun!

https://littleredtrucks.com.au/

Wednesday, everything hurts. Just everything, worst case of OCD ever. (no disrespect for people who actually have OCD) You know, you’re looking at an area in your home and think I’ll just move these few things and you have to find ‘something’ and you get distracted by the other ‘something‘ and I managed to find my immediate bathroom items, very handy.

The day went like this – moved some things, unpacked some things, did some washing. Left the house in shorts! (So, I don’t expose my legs to the general public, nobody needs to see that!) I offered my chiropractor, that she could make one comment! Then, we would never speak of it again!

The new apartment is starting to come together. But I still haven’t found the TV remote and that’s proving to be a needle in a haystack! It’s now late and I might struggle to get to midnight. I’m so tired and everything still hurts.

Thursday, had a carer for 5 hours and Sana and my mum really pulled it all together starting to look like a home. Had my first PJ day, since I’ve had a crappy cold for weeks now and haven’t had time to even stop.

Friday, had my young carer Jennifer again. Oh, how I’ve missed her! (She was on holiday) Managed to vote! (So I don’t need to go out on Saturday!) Shopping, just the basics. Late Friday night my mum left but not until she managed to give my old landlord an appropriate serve! My mum is not even a bit Italian, but she managed to tell him to make ‘this go away! And told him how dare he ……….xyz! (Just trust me you don’t want to know!) She got the biggest hug for that.

The weekend! Didn’t get to go off grid, hardly stopped unpacking, barely did any TV Catch-up! And haven’t completely nailed this 1am curfew to get to bed. Last night, it was practically 2am! But I’ve decided the foodstuff that won’t fit into the pantry I’ll just have to eat and I’m working on my bookcases.

So, shout outs to my Little Red struck guys again. Dylan, my mum, my older sister Jo-Bunch! Younger sister A-Super chook, Tamsin and I help for tech support and Silvia for giving me the term, Sentimental. As in I can keep this T-shirt I’ll never fit into again for sentimental reasons and her partner Sam for assisting with my scooter shed. Countless carers who have had a piece of the puzzle.

While, I’ve still got the cold, Mum and Jo got it eventually. Caring is sharing! I haven’t had a migraine! Winning!
Stay tuned for photos…….
Cheers,
H