Tag Archives: change

cooking with gas

22 Thursday Sep 2011

Posted by in change, home

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I have been waiting for this moment for over nine years, ever since I moved into the previous “casa az” from the place next door. I was lucky enough in the first two apartments I had in Sevilla to have kitchens equipped with gas cookers, but the last two came with those awful electric ceramic top ones that are not only electric but a bugger to keep in good condition because everything stains or scratches them. But it’s really cooking electric that drives me bonkers.

So when I realised a couple of weeks ago that I could no longer live with the crappy taps in my bathroom I decided to approach the landlords about helping me with a couple of home improvements. To my surprise they agreed to spit the cost of both the new taps and the new cooker! And as I have a five-year contract with the option to continue living here after that, it seemed like a good investment on my part too. I think the landlords like that I am interested in not just maintaining the place well but also in improving it. Though of course they are cautious about how much more they want to spend at the moment, after having just redone the whole place before I moved in (last tenant left it a mess). But these two things (taps and cooker) were a constant annoyance and so quality of life at home is now greatly improved.

I still haven’t tried the cooker as it was just installed yesterday evening. It was the cheapest on display at the store so I hope it’s okay. Will let you know…

summer job and moving forward

01 Friday Jul 2011

Posted by in animals & pets, cats, home

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These two handsome chaps may look like just cats, but they are also a summer job and a way of moving forward.

I’ve been thinking a lot about how to make the necessary changes around here, especially after I was moved to write this post in order to make things real for myself, so I wouldn’t backslide again.

And I think as a result, things have started falling into place. Especially after the fabulous news on Monday.

So this morning, after yet another job option had fallen through for Nog, I remembered that friends of mine were going to be away all of August and still didn’t know what they were going to do about the cats. The best option they’d come up with to date was that someone would come in every 3-4 days to make sure the cats had enough food and water, change the box, etc. NOT ideal. And it occurred to me that a very good win-win situation might be if Nog moved over there for August. He has no work lined up for that month, so he could live there rent-free in exchange for taking care of the cats and the apartment, and figure out what he really wants to do in September. I think that with his returning students, and anything he manages to organise between now and then, he would easily be able to afford a flat-share somewhere cheaper than here. And meanwhile I would look for a new flatmate for September.

What I like best about this plan is that it leaves so many positive options available. And I know those two guys up there are going to be delighted with their new flatmate in August.

end of an era

09 Monday Aug 2010

Posted by in change, home

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Today I said goodbye to the apartment next door, where I lived for eight years, and kept on after I moved to my present home. For another eight years I rented out rooms next door and, for my efforts, got a small income that helped pay a portion of my rent here. I’ll miss that income, and I’ll also miss that apartment. I always had dreams of one day using it as my “office” when one of my biz ideas took off … ah well. I’m surpised at how sad it felt, handing over the keys and having one last look around. So many memories…

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