h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Last week my anxiety and sleeplessness increased to stupid levels

Not being paid by Qld Govt for work completed seven weeks ago; unpaid bills mounting up; too much packing; too much tidying; too much cleaning; too much socialising (seriously).

Far more people than I expected want to see me before I go It's lovely that they want to wish me bon voyage, but it's eaten into my organising time badly

On Friday it all got on top of me and I ended up a twittering mess. Fortunately I was able to be a mess at a friend, who immediately sussed the core issue and has lent me some money to pay the bills Then she sent round the 'heavies' for a couple of hours yesterday to help me with a few things that felt beyond me.

And last night I went to bed at 10pm. Today I woke up at 12.15pm Although I feel slightly disoriented and jetlagged now I also feel euphoric that I slept so long and so hard. And everything seems to be back in perspective... so much so that I'm taking a day off from packing, because I realise I'm ahead of myself

The sun is shining, I've just had breakfast (at 2.30pm ) and some friends are coming round with bubbly in an hour

I am close to deciding that I will never do a big move again; it's too hard.

Fb

Dear fb,

So very pleased that your friend helped you out and enabled you to get some sleep.

My son has written the most beautiful poem on the virtues and cathartic value of sleep. |I shall try and send it to you.

enjoy the but not too much!. I found that it was the only beverage that I could drink without fear of being really physically upset by it.

With affection
AR80

'Not being paid by Qld Govt for work completed seven weeks ago' - I hope that has been sorted out now! Thank goodness for friends.

I am glad you have friends that come to the rescue. I am sure things will be fine now.

on their way to the Q'land Govt. as I write.



Websailor

Please keep sending those I shan't know until Thursday/Friday whether they have actually turned a *probably* into an actual payment.

It is beyond my control, so I am trying not to too much. I strive to only worry about the things over which I have some influence, but it's a tall order sometimes.

Having said that, I slept soundly again last night and am feeling 100x better for it.

Lots and lots of little things need sorting out today. The removal men arrive sometime tomorrow morning to start the wrapping of furniture etc. I have run out of boxes, which is a pain - so can't pack anything else myself until they arrive. But I can finish cleaning all my garden tools, cut the grass for the last time and clean the mower, move all the paintings down into the rumpus room for ease of packing... and a few other things I can't quite remember (but which are on a list somewhere )

Oh, and I am also going out for lunch today Again

This is the final lap

Fb

The removal men arrive between 9 and 10 tomorrow so I'm on a frantic last minute clear up and am filling the bins furiously I also have customs forms to fill in and inventories to complete and print out.

Just as well I'm sleeping well again

Hi fb.

I hope that you will have a good night and be able to cope with the many things you have to do tomorrpw.
Where are you going once your bed etc. has been taken? Is this the last contact we have with you before you get to NZ When do you leave for Christchurch?

Even if we do not "talk" for a little while, remember that youare in all our thoughts and that our good wishes for your future happiness go to you from us all.

with very much affectionate
ChristianeAR80

Bon voyage!

Hello Christiane,
I have my bed until Wednesday - when the house will be completely emptied (and I can start cleaning!). Then I move in with some friends down the road until next Tuesday's flight to Chchch

And no, you don't get rid of me so easily I'll have my computer with me and my friend has internet connection I may not be around quite as much until I get sorted out in the apartment, but I'll drop by most days I imagine

Not quite yet, Ivan.... I fly on the 16th - a week tomorrow

Ah. I'm rather losing track of dates and things at the moment...

'sokay, Ivan. I know the feeling

I hope all goes well for you *today* which it will be for you when you get this I think.

Take care, thinking of you. So glad you have internet access for a while at least.



Websailor

The removal crew will be here in half an hour or so to finish off the packing. They reckon they'll be finished and away at lunchtime. They did a good job yesterday and I spent the night surrounded by carefully wrapped furniture. Fortunately they left the arm chair, the telly and the kettle unwrapped so that I could sit down, watch the sainted Kevin and drink coffee all evening.

Once they've gone I shall completely reorganise my suitcases, which are piled up in the bathroom with clothes and paperwork spilling out all over the place. I'll start the cleaning this afternoon and head off to my temporary accommodation in time for dinner. Then tomorrow and Friday are free for the completion of the cleaning doing the Exit Report for the owner and agents and returning the keys.

It's all going according to plan... so far. I shall be phoning the car dealership later today to talk to them about how much they'll pay for the black beast. They phoned again on Monday to ask whether I'd sold it this is a Good Sign - and I assume they have a buyer in mind.

I've just booked the bus to the airport for 4.45am on Tuesday (ugh). I've organised for the electricity to be switched on before I arrive at the appartment. The agent with the key will meet me there when I arrive and show me around (very kind ). And the phone should be working when I arrive too.


Fb

from me too

Websailor

Phew, I feel exhausted just reading about it.

I'm exhausted *doing* it all

The removalists have been and gone. The house is clean although I have to clean the pool tomorrow, before doing the Exit Report - but that's small beer compared to everything else.

Today I had a grump with the car dealership, who decided to diddle me over the car I will end up out of pocket - but thanks to an extraordinary act of generosity by the finance company, not as much out of pocket as I might be. There are a few around just now.

Fb

Nearly there, then.

Clearing a house is simply the Worst Thing Ever. I'm dreading having to do it, when the time comes...