HOME, SWEET, SWEET, HOME

It has happened, this whole crazy project has finally come to an end.

The Granthams are in, feet up, pictures on walls, etc, we have laid down our hat and call this home.

The week prior to moving in was a little stressful, there were phone calls to be made exit plans for Strathblane to take into consideration, a delayed piece of kitchen worktop that got scratched when being loaded by the fork lift, or thats the line we were given, along the final shove with the decorating, which was greatly hindered by me kncking my head and having slight concussion, which meant that apart from me falling asleep every time I sat down, that I couldn't go up ladders, so yet more work for poor Ian to do, So sorry babe, it really was an accident.

Fair to say that we were feeling it now, stress, anxious, skint, and did I mention stressed, I was held up on our wee twisty road by a lorry that had got stuck on the tight corner, so I got out the car to berate the driver, or firstly co-driver, who was franticly pointing at said driver, still in cab, saying it was him, him. So up I go and tear into him. People were constantly telling me how rough I was looking, even more than on an average week.

Richie got the look also when telling me how to wash a floor " you don't want to be doing it that way, you should be doing it like this." I'm sorry, I know its sexist but scrubbing floors is what we know.

The day before we moved in was hysterical, there was a kind of party atmosphere around the house, I think anyone that had anything to do with the re

novation was there to tie up loose ends. Factor into this the arrival of a shed load of carpet and underfelt along with the less than jolly carpet fitters, who had expected to finish around 3pm, which in actual fact took them to way past 6pm, no' right for a Friday. The street was like a parking lot. Again apologies to the good folk of Mugdock.

Ian and I worked at the cottage until around 7pm, lightweights!!! I hear you cry, but I was so exhausted and needed sustenance, so off we headed for a curry, with good intentions of swinging by Mugdock later.

I had romantically fancied just camping out on the new carpet in my new room under a cosy blanket. However as we were both almost asleep after our spiced onions and poppadoms. Ian, ever the sensible one, just gave me one of his, don't be so bloody ridiculous, head shaking looks, and decreed that no such nonsense would be happening the

night before a house move, "we're going back to Strathblane and sleeping in our bed, we're not camping people." I had already mentally escaped the rental house and only wanted to return to get my things back.
Maja had already escaped, said her goodbyes with a flourish and a cheer, kind of like "yeeehaaaa, so long house, been nice knowin ya," not a backward glance and ran off in the direction of Sarahs car to stay at her house until we were all sorted

out.
Saturday morning arrived and with it, the Big Boulevard Motors van, and a bunch of eager men, it could not have gone more smoothly if we had made a plan, our slick team of movers, Ian, Scott, Pete, Steve, Drew handling big and bulky, Margo and I loading the cars with small things. We had everything moved in a couple of hours, it all ran like clockwork.

By lunchtime there was pizza and sausage rolls in the new oven, beer was opened, and a power struggle over the wine/beer fridge was kicking off, Scott insisting priority should be given to the beer, it was noted that as a red wine drinker that would be only fair and sensible. Then I pointed out that in my new surroundings, I have decided to be a champagne drinker. Hahh!
By Saturday evening we had bathrooms cleaned, mirrors shining, Amy and Margo, you're both stars, the kitchen was in some kind of order, my job, and 70 large HP server boxes sitting behind the sofa. Out of sight, temporarily, out of mind.

Maja and Sancia were desperate to move in that night too, so once the girls got to bed....finally, Ian and I sat in our big, empty (apart from 70 boxes, 1 sofa and a very wee TV) living room, put some wood in the fire and opened the wine, I can't tell you how good that wine tasted, it was a decent pinot noir, however, it was special, and we savoured every minute of being home.
So in a nut shell, the house is great, we love it.
Was it worth the time and money? absolutely, we will hopefully have many great times here, so no regrets there.
I get that a home is still only a house without the love of your family living there, its Maja and Ian that make it for me, but still, it may as well be gorgeous.
The biggy, would we do another big project again? Bring it on, perhaps in a year or so, and in the south of Spain, well... a girl can dream. Ian would say that's all I do.
Once again we have to say how lucky we were to have such lovely, talented people to work with, and turn this particular dream into reality.
First and foremost to Richie, Stevie, Tony and Andrew, who are all part of the R.Petticrew building empire. For understanding me, what I wanted, particularly on the days where for whatever reason, making a decision was beyond me and for just going ahead and making the right one on my behalf. Richie, you are a perfectionist and "probably" the best builder in the world. Robert Edgar from R.E.Design, for putting the ideas together and humouring me during my inspirational ideas phase and for coming on site immediately,when needed.
The roofer, who did something fancy above the porch without asking "keep it simple nothing fancy schmancy" me, but turns out I love it, just as well for him.
Stuart McDougall, you have given me my dream kitchen, Quooker hot water taps rock.
Definitely not forgetting the posse from Ireland, you were all great, had me laughing every time I came round, and made me coffee.
So if I ever get my place in Spain, I'll have you all over, bring your tools for a long holiday.

Ian, I love you. You have worked your socks off to pull this together and I appreciate it, the only Xmas present I've opened and not asked you " have you got the receipt?"

All the unsung heroes who watched Maja, listened to my decor babble, my indecisiveness, helped with painting, cleaning, helping out on Mudock parking front, yadda, yadda, yadda.
My mum, Sheena, Gael and Richard, who did a lot of my painting, all the above mentioned movers and shakers, David, George, Graeme and Simon.

Sarah,Jo,Wendy,Anne,Rhona,Pamela,Yvonne,Nicky,Ruth and Tommy, Claire and Andy.....I feel like its a record sleeve, or an Oscars speech, but you were a big help and played a part, and thanks.xxx