@Dutchy,
Thanku BEAgle... just what I needed
McT - yessir - have had house sitters before - they have always been fantastic - even people I hadn't met before
In my previous life (
) I used to run selfcatering holiday lets at my old house. We built a bungalow attached to the house and for 3 years - pretty much it was full. Also had "people I didn't know" move in for a long while, whilst they were building their house. Nearly all the people who stayed (which was a lot - and they returned 2-3 times a year) became "part of the family" when they stayed - I couldn't have asked for better guests, tho I got to the point of having them there as friends, not guests - I am a useless business woman - but I liked it that way. I'm still in contact with some 'guests' now, having moved. One of them became one of my closest friends down here - my eldest son is about to go on holiday with her family.
Strange really, doing that sort of business and what I do now - being that I am a hermit!!!!
I know it could all be a bit hit and miss, housesitting/swapping - but, to me, and I know it's probably not the same for everyone, but I don't feel as tho I have anything to lose by letting people stay in my house if I'm not here. It seems such a waste if someone else can enjoy it whilst we're travelling. I know the place is secure and the kitties have company - I don't worry about anything that might happen... because... it just doesn't worry me. My folks live a few miles away, I have a great neighbour and... I'm always on the end of a telephone if someone needs something.
I guess the people who know me in person, like FQ, Tulip, Bazza, Small - and other A2Kers who have actually stayed here - they know I'm relaxed about the house - things break, spillages happen - things happen - it happens. So far - nothing has ever gone wrong, except the weather!!!!! So, for me, it works. I trust my instincts about the people who stay - but actually, I would consider house swapping with people abroad/here(UK) in the future. It's so expensive to travel - if you can swap houses with someone who wants to be in the UK from another place in the world - I'm all for it. I have researched it, I wished to go to Italy this year and made some enquiries but... it wasn't to be. I would want to be able to talk / familiarise myself with "complete strangers" before the house swap - but in principle - yep - I would do it - definitely.
Thing is - if anyone wanted to come stay with me - and there are many A2Kers who I'm very close to - well, my house is theirs and they know that. I don't even think about it. It's a house, my home - it's far from perfect and it's by no means a hotel - it is a home, dust, fingerprints on the windows and all - but with people I consider family and friends - it's just easy and non-stressy. I do like my space - I really am hermit-like - but I also love to have people come and stay.
I'm far from stupid (despite differing opinions on that
) and am well aware that things could go horribly wrong - but, I don't live thinking these sort of things will go wrong (I do that too much about emotional things and my children/personal life already, so the house, well.... it's a house). If it goes wrong - well, house insurance is a must - then pick up, dust off, carry on. No worries. I have nothing here of value except photos, a few personal cards I have kept that mean nothing to no-one 'cept me - and kid things - they are priceless - the rest is just... stuff
I think if you do go into houseswapping tho - proper houseswapping - you need to remove financial paperwork, valuables and that sort of thing and try to make the house impersonal. I remove all my "papers" when I go away anytime (don't have valuables) - not because of the people staying here, but so I have access to it at my parents if I need it whilst travelling. When people stay here I try and leave it tidy (kinda) - but it's definitely not impersonal - it's me and the little fella. If I house swap in the future - I would need to declutter a bit I reckon!
It would be interesting to start a thread on this. I was going to - but know some horrific stories will probably come to light and people may question "who are on earth in the world would do such a daft thing"
Errrrrrrrrr - me <hides>. Maybe next year I'll ask the question if no-one has before!
<sorry, that was a bit long a?>
Boida - ah girl. I haven't got things sorted yet, far from it - and time's a ticking. Please don't worry tho - thatsme. I am my own worst enemy here. I deal with things at the last minute for the most part - like booking flights etc - because I do have a problem thinking further than day to day. I never know how or what I'm going to be able to do or whether I'm going to get sick, leave alone be able to walk around properly - so, I go on a whim and hope for the best. (right now, walking is OKish). Today is changing sheets for housesitters day and ... well, there's a lot to be done and, as happens, my hands and feet are complaining but nothing new there - but it will get done - and I feel
REALLY good despite being pained. If my head is good - the body doesn't matter. I do need more sleep, I know that, there won't be much over the next 2 days because everything is now "so last minute" and I am terribly disorganised - and procrastinating now too. However, by the time I get to the US - I will be on my UK sleep pattern - so hey, hopefully it will help me being 6 hours behind UK time. Good theory - will probably move to Oz sleep timezones when I get to the US - HA!
Please don't worry - physically I can't change my body or my disease and I rarely have "energy" other than in my voice - I know I'm pushing a little too hard at the moment - but I feel I need to do that to keep my sanity. Yesterday I put all my disabled "aids" into the garage - that felt good!
I think when I get to the US I will be running on adrenaline - but I will also be in a comfort zone that will give me a lot of peace. It's all good. I wish I could see you this trip. I really do. Maybe we will get to talk on the phone... or whisper a little maybe. Hugs gal. x
