September 12th, 2026To build or not to build – that was the question

Things seemed to go so slowly for a long time but now they are speeding up. The slab is in and now the frame is up and the roof is starting to take shape.
It’s still an April bump-in date but at least we can see something happening – which is fantastic.
Mind you, we keep getting invoices now for each piece of work as it happens, which is fine, but the figures are still a bit of a shock. But better than just paying interest on a mortgage with nothing to see for it.
The builders, Sherridon Homes, have been really good with the site, looking after the plants which are pretty close to the building, and keeping the site really tidy.
And so it is actually getting a bit exciting to think about living in a modern home after so long in something built in 1862.
The school is amazing, and always gets a lot of comments, but this will be the newest home we have ever had. We always tended to go for older-style homes built in the 1980s – and because we never had the money to renovate – we got used to lots of different styles already inside the houses.
I think we have owned four houses all up and lived in about another 24 rentals around the country. Then there’s the ones we lived in before we met. That’s a lot of moving and lugging furniture.
Every time we move Kyle promises it’s the last time I have to be involved in carrying fridges or the huge tiled coffee table made by my Dad – and over-engineered for strength – because he was an engineer.
And every time we move, I find myself carrying another chair or side table. A bit lighter these days but still, no wonder I am tired. We will see how this one goes…
Words: Donna Kelly