Tuesday 25 June 2013

A Theory

A has a theory that all the good ideas are his and, at that point in time I think that they are cr*p.  Then, after a couple of years, I come around to the idea and then claim it as my own - and he may have a point to a certain extent (and sadly I think that K may have learned this trait from me !)

About 1992-1993, A's oldest brother and sister-in-law were talking about immigrating to Australia and he was keen to do the same.  Me, not so much.  I didn't think that there was any way I could leave my folks behind.  We are very close and used to see each other at least once or twice a week and talked every day.  In 1996, the night that the National Party pulled out of the coalition government (it was a Sunday night and we were watching the news), I turned to A and I said "OK - I'm ready to leave" - he had no idea what I was talking about - it was about 9pm on a Sunday night - where on earth would I be going to ?  I explained that I was ready to move countries becaused I realised that if we stayed in South Africa, we had no future and more importantly, K would have a very dismal future.  So much so that I could see her finishing school and then moving countries - and by then A and I would be too old to get into another country (except maybe NZ because it used to be really really easy to get in there).

A's most favouite animal
This is the first instance of when his idea was a great idea - it just took me a few years to catch up to him.

When we got to Australia we rented a house for 6 months while we found which suburb we wanted to live in and found the house we wanted to buy.  When we found this house it wasn't what we wanted at all - it had one loungeroom and three bedrooms and this stupid little vanity outside the toilet - who does that, and no door to the outside from the kitchen.  No way was I going to buy this house !!!  It wasn't anything like I wanted !!! (or so I thought !).  After a cursory glance through it we left with me passing derogatory comments about the 'stupid bloody estate agent showing us houses that didn't have the things we had specifically asked for'.  Anyway after seeing a few more places, we chatted about this house and realised that we could change the one loungeroom into two and that we could get by with three bedrooms instead of four and really, what did it matter if there was an extra basin and vanity ?  So we came back and had another look and made an offer.  After a bit of bargaining back and forth, we got it for nearly $7k less than we were willing to pay - bargain !!!!!  Needless to say, that extra vanity has been a godsend at times - especially when my folks came to visit and Dad was shaving and K was trying to get ready for school.  K has got very spoiled by having mirrors on three walls and so being able to see all around her hair.  This will be another shock to her system along with remote garage doors (or lack thereof !!!)

I had very clear instructions about the house that we bought - whatever it was and wherever it was - the only time I was moving out was in a coffin (once again, our irreverent approach to death comes to the fore !!!).  I have made the statement many times over the years - firmly believing it each.and.every.single.time because I was not moving - no sir, not for anybody.

We have been very happy here but A has, on more than one occasion, mentioned how much he would like to live on acerage and have horses and a ride on mower.  "Yes dear - whatever makes you happy" was generally my reply (or at the very least words to that effect, knowing full well that, unless he was going to move without me or was planning on offing me in the near future, it was never going to happen) - WRONG !!!

A few weeks ago I went to a bloggers catch up out at Cedar Vale. I loved it (catching up with the other bloggers was so much fun but also the location of where we met) - the open spaces, the trees, the quietness. And my mind started ticking over. But, I had forgotten about his theory of his ideas are cr*p until I have mulled them over for a while and then, once they become my ideas, they are 'brilliant' because, as we all know, our ideas are always the best !!!  After we left there (the bloggers catch up), I got to thinking - the main reason I didn't want to live on acerage was because we packed shelves until 1am, five nights a week, and there was no way I was going to finish at Coles at 1am and then drive another half hour or more to get home.  Now that we no longer pack shelves, that reason for not living on acerage doesn't actully exist anymore.

When A was here last week we took a couple of drives around looking at acerage - man we saw some lovely places - some were 'lovely' prices as well but some were actually quite reasonably priced.  Then he raised the question of asking my folks if they would be interested in moving into a dual living place with us, if we found somewhere.  We stopped off to see them and were telling them about what we had seen and then asked them the question saying "Have a think and a chat about it.  See if you would like us to look at something where you could have your own place close to us and then let us know so we know whether we are looking for something with dual living or just a home for us on a plot bigger than we are currently on."  Well, I don't think A had even finished saying that before Dad said "I haven't spoken to Mom but yes, we would love to come and live with you."

So, once again, his 'cr*p' idea, once it became my idea, suddenly became a 'great' idea - please tell me I'm not the only one who does this.  And, if I am, would someone please tell just a very small porky and say that they do the same so that I don't feel like I'm the only miserable wife who wants all the best ideas to be hers !!!!

And yes, now, while he is working 4 weeks in Townsville and having 1 week of R&R when he isn't supposed to do much at home, we are going to try to fix our house up so that we can sell it and make the most profit possible to put into another property that will fit the three of us and my folks in (with them having their own seperate place on the same property). 

Right now I am thinking that I must have left my mind out on that property in Cedar Vale or have completely lost it somewhere else.  Why on earth did I think, at any point in time, that doing something like this was a great idea ???????????  I should have just kept my big mouth SHUT !!!!  But, as I am sure you are all aware, it's very hard to suck those words back into your mouth once they have been uttered.

Or I can look at it as a total challenge and decide - am I up for it or not ?  Time will tell on this one I think.

Linking in with Jess from EssentiallyJess for #IBOT - have you joined in this week ?

Have the best week !

TFTD : Life is meant to be lived. Take risks. Feel passion. Discover love. Run free.

61 comments:

  1. -Brilliant-! There is no going back and you will not regret it! I could not go back now, we will always have to have land. Not that we are moving like ever after all this trouble we are going to to extend the house! #teamIBOT

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    1. LOL - that is what I was thinking - I want to enjoy my bathroom just a little longer !!!!
      Have the best day !
      Me

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  2. WOW! That is BIG news! Good for you. How exciting. (And how sneaky on the idea stealing).
    So won't you have a lot to write about...a roller coaster of activity until you've moved and settled. We will read with interest and cheer you on! Pics please.

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    1. Thank you, as always, for your support !!!!! It is an exciting prospect and I think that once things start to happen I will feel a little more at ease with the whole thing.
      Have the best day !
      Me

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  3. Bahahahaha! Yep that story may very well apply in our house as well. Exciting times about the move possibility. Why wouldn't you want to live on acreage with horses!

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    1. LOL - I said we would have to live somewhere close to someone with horses that he could look at because we certainly weren't buying any (having seen what happens when I say - we are definitely not doing that - in the past, we may land up with horses one day !!!
      Have the best week !
      Me

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  4. Ha! We have the same problem in reverse in our house. It starts out my idea and then a few years later ends up my husband's brilliant plan. I just roll with it now :)

    Good luck with it all!

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    1. LOL - glad to see it happens in other families - even if the roles are reversed !!!!
      Have a great day !
      Me

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  5. wooo massive news L!!! the place sounds devine though... i'd love to move to an acreage one day int he future.. Love the idea stealing.. i think we woman do that a lot.. hahaha! OR.. we plant ideas in the men so they think they have had a brilliant idea!!! velly velyl sneaky!
    Can't wait to read mroe above the BIG MOVE! xxxx

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    1. LOL - I don't think I have too many brilliant ideas - A's the ideas person - I'm the practical person that sometimes takes a while to come around to the idea of how we can make it work !!!
      Have the best week !
      Me

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  6. Lol. We are like that in our household, but I'm the one who comes up with the idea and then it takes awhile for hubby to come round to it and then he of course thinks it's his. Whatever works! Good luck with it all. How exciting!

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    1. I'm with you on whatever works - sometimes roles are reversed but that is totally OK because things are still getting done !!!
      Have the best day !
      Me

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  7. We live on small acreage....love it!!
    Looking forward to hearing about the big move...in the meantime have a great week :-)

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    1. Thank you - everyone who lives there wouldn't go back - and that is what I am starting to really love about the move !!!
      You have a great week too !
      Me

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  8. Good Luck with it all!

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  9. Wow, that is a huge move, but I'm sure it will pay off, it all sounds lovely. And yes, I claim my husband's good ideas as mine ALL THE TIME! ;)

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    1. LOL - so glad I am not alone in this trait !!!
      Have the best day !
      Me

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  10. That is sooo exciting. Doesnt matter who came up with that idea - I think it reeks with awesomeness for you guys. Cant wait to follow this adventure. xx

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    1. Thanks Sonia - guess that is a great way to claim the idea as my own - just say it doesn't matter (and then maybe mutter under my breath) - but it was mine !!
      Or maybe the last person to come up with the idea is the clever one !!
      Have a great week !
      Me

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  11. I am so excited for you !!! What an adventure :) I hope that everything works out exactly the way you hope. And yes, I to take a while to come around to Hubby's ideas but of course when I do I claim them as my own LOL it's a woman's perogative ..... right ??

    Sending love and hugs xx

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    1. For sure that's our perogative along with a few other things like changing our mind when something doesn't suit us, own three pairs of black pants/shoes because one pair is just not enough etc etc !
      Have the best afternoon !
      Me

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  12. Yep, we do the same thing! This sounds so exciting! I hope it all goes well for you :)

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    1. Oh, pure bliss to hear I am not alone in this 'thing' that I do !!!
      Have the best day !
      Me

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  13. Oh life has a funny way of working out once you take a massive change in direction doesn't it? Boy, I used to recruit surgeons and doctors from South Africa and it just sounded so so tough. The quality of life you have sounds amazing and whether it's in Cedar Vale or where you are now - at least you have some incredible choices - one is great - one better - I've often thought QLD would be a beautiful place to live - but my heart lies in Melbourne :)

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    1. You are right - things have a way of working themselves out - we just need to be open to the possibilities available.
      Qld is an amazing place to live - I love Melbourne - but only to visit - I don't think I could put up with the weather changes there !!!!!
      Have the best week !
      Me

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  14. Ooh hun, it's so exciting, you're going to love it!! Can't wait until we're on acreage, John is desperate for a ride-on mower, it must be a boy thing LOL.
    I also claim ideas as my own, hehe.
    xx

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    1. YAY for you also claiming ideas as your own - a huge relief for me to find out just how many other ladies do the same !!!
      I think it must be a boy thing although I am sure that if the land is relatively flat, I would be happy to sit on a ride-on and just meander around the property !!!
      Have a great week !
      Me

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  15. What an awesome goal, can't wait to see it all unfold :)

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    1. It will be exciting if nothing else !!!! Plus it will help my folks so that is a good thing.
      Take care and look after yourself !
      Me

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  16. Space, space space, animals, garden, trees, vegetables, community. sounds wonderful xxx

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    1. Our two dogs won't know themselves !!!!! I have to say that at times when I think about it I do get just a little bit excited !
      Have a great day !
      Me

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    1. LOL - they can be sometimes !!!! Sometimes when I talk to them since then they are more excited about it than we are !!!
      Have a great week !
      Me

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  18. Jealous - sounds wonderful - hope it all goes smoothly for you!

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    1. Thanks Janet - me too !!!
      Have the best day !
      Me

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  19. Oh that plan sounds so exciting- I've always wanted more time in green, open spaces but knowing now what I didn't know then- we could've easily had a weekender by now if we hadn't undertaken The House That Would Not Be Built. Argh.

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    1. I hope that if we get a single dwelling unit and need to build a sep unit for them it doesn't turn into The Unit That Would Not Be Built - it would be very difficult for them if we moved and then they couldn't move in with us !!
      Sorry to read about all the cleaning you had to do - that sucks big time especially as it wasn't even your doing - they should have cleaned up before they left !!
      Have a good day !
      Me

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  20. Stacey's place was lovely wasn't it? I hope you find the place you are looking for. PS. My husband & I work the other way around - I plant the seed & then it becomes HIS idea ;)

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    1. Yes, it was lovely out there. LOL - I guess in every relationship it happens - it's just a case of who has the great idea to start with !
      Take care and look after yourself !
      Me

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  21. All the good ideas around here are SO MINE L!!! The only difference is that I plant the seed in his head, and then talk about it for a bit and then after a few weeks/months, he starts to see the great logic and they become his ideas, and then I enthusiastically agree!!!
    I wish we could afford acreage, do what your heart (not head) tells you to do xx

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    1. That is what I am thinking I am going to have to do - go with my heart and let my head follow. It will all work out the way it is meant to in the end.
      I didn't think we could afford acerage either but there are some places that aren't too far out that are really reasonably priced.
      Have a great day - hope the children are better soon !
      Me

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  22. What a huge step to make! I must admit, reading about it, it does sound very exciting!!
    Keep us updated?
    xx

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    1. Thanks Josefa - I will definitely keep you all updated !!!
      Have the best day !
      Me

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  23. Hang on for the ride hon, I somehow think you are going to love it! ;) xxXOoo

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    1. I hope so !!!!!
      Have a great week !
      Me

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  24. Oh that's big, BIG!! But funny how these ideas float around and then some day, the planets all align. Jeez, you have been such a hard worker in your life... hope that you can zone out under a shady tree and enjoy those acres soon, and easily.

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    1. I think you have nailed it there - once the planets align, then things happen.
      Have the best day !
      Me

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  25. That's an audacious theory but a clever one ... As for the life change u r talking about, wow is all I can say ... I think mixed homes can be fab as long as u get the space u want. After all it's only our few generations that have lived such small nuclear lives - the more the merrier :-)

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    1. Thanks Kim - yes, we definitely have to all have the space we need. We have seem some places with the granny flat attached i.e. the other side of the garage - I would prefer to have two units on the same piece of land - one this side and one that side because I know that if I land up screaming at K (like I have been known to do although not as much now that she is older but it could still happen if she pushes my buttons enough) - I don't want my Mom running over to try to rescue her !
      Have a great week !
      Me

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  26. Wow. Huge!
    Go big or go home I say ...
    Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit

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    1. Part of me totally agrees with you but there is a part of me that wants to run and hide until it is all over !!!
      Have the best day !
      Me

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  27. Lol, I often need time to digest new ideas too!

    What an exciting prospect, I think it is a great idea and I am slightly jealous!

    Have fun searching for your new home.

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    1. Thank you !!! You may not be any jealous when we start encountering whatever happens when you try to sell a property and buy another !!!!
      Have the best day !
      Me

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  28. Wow, what a big change! It sounds lovely to me. I've always wanted to live in the country (as long as I didn't have to keep up the yard). I love that your parents are moving there with you. Best of luck with your house sale and move!

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    1. I'm lucky that A loves the yard so much and my folks are sure to help out - they LOVE gardening !!!!
      Wishing you a great day !
      Me

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  29. I love the idea of stealing the others idea's but I think it is the opposite way in this house. It just takes my husband a while to realise that I am brilliant!!
    Becc @ Take Charge Now

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    1. I think all relationships have the "brilliant ideas" person and then the "I'm not so sure that will work" person !!!
      Have the best week !
      Me

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  30. What an exciting idea!

    Do you know, I think it's the same with Hubby and I. He suggests things and I reject them out of hand, but the seed is planted. Then I catch up and warm to the idea - it just takes me some time :-)

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    1. I think that new ideas, when they aren't yours, always take a little time to settle into your head and work their way out once you have thought about it a little bit more.
      Have a great day !
      Me

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  31. Thank you for stopping by. Due to the fact that my 'baby' is now 21 years old, I don't have much need for new born baby clothing but should that change in the future, I will be certain to pop by.
    Have the best day !
    Me

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Have the best day.

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