Tag Archives: home

two years on…

07 Wednesday Aug 2019

Posted by in casa azahar, cats, home, sevilla

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So it has been just over two years since I moved to the new Casa Azahar, which is officially the 5th Casa Azahar in my 26 years living in Sevilla (if you count moving across the hall from number 2 to number 3). I spent 1 year in Casa 1, 18 years in Casas 2-3, 5 years in Casa 4 and now 2 years in Casa 5. I have fond memories of all my homes here, even though Casa 4 ended on a sour note with the landlady. But each time I changed homes it was for somewhere better.

At first I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the present Casa Azahar. It was smaller than the previous two, so some serious downsizing was required, which in retrospect was probably a good thing (though in the end I also had to buy some new furniture). And I knew the cats would miss having stairs to play on. But it was attractive, had good light, and was in a good location, so I decided to go for it.

And now, two years on, I can’t imagine ever wanting to live anywhere else. I’ve never felt so at home before and every day I feel delighted and grateful to have this comfy-cosy place to live in. I really love it here, crazy downstairs neighbour notwithstanding, and okay, the kitchen could do with some love. Though the BEST LANDLORD EVER did replace the old cooker with an induction one and install the oven I brought over from the previous place. He also installed all the light fixtures I’d bought after moving in, and quickly replaced the A/C unit when it died. In fact, he has always been amazing about everything.  So I really hope I can continue living here for a long time to come.

Anyhow, I thought it would be fun to make a present day photo collage just like the one I made after I first viewed the apartment. This time with furniture and… cats! (you may have to zoom in to spot them)

Where was the best place you’ve lived?

a sunny day

05 Monday Aug 2019

Posted by in casa azahar, cats

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My big beautiful Sunny was born 27 years ago today. He was born into my hands in Salamanca and died in my arms 16 years and three months later in Sevilla. I still miss him, his brilliant blue eyes and adorable white toes, his gentle nature. He was so full of love, and became a protective big brother to Azar when I brought that tiny and terrified street kitten home. This is a very badly patched together video I made the day Sunny died, just to keep myself busy and focused on my beautiful boy. Lots of the photos were such awful pre-digital quality. Great song though. And one of the best boys ever.

tied up in knots

26 Friday Jul 2019

Posted by in health & happiness, home

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It was a normal day. I was working on this and that, spent most of the day at home thinking I would go out in the evening for a walk. Made a healthy “fridge forage” lunch that had plenty of fresh veg, some chicken and noodles. Then I relaxed a bit late afternoon, and then… OMG.

Suddenly I was hit by serious sharp abdominal pain, though not the same as what I experienced last week. This was way more intense. Thinking I could maybe “walk it off” I headed out to buy some ink for my printer, at the new shopping mall over the river. Halfway across the bridge I thought – uh oh, this isn’t normal – but then the violent cramps subsided and so I kept on. Bought my stuff, headed home, almost vomited in a public bin on the side of the street, but somehow made it back. And then it got much worse.

I crawled into bed, scared and in PAIN… it was so bad that I was actually crying out. Like all my insides were tied up in knots, like I was being turned inside out. I was so afraid I would end up back in emergency. Finally I fell asleep and when I woke up again in the middle of the night I drank some water (kept it down) and things seemed okay from then on in. But you know… WTF?