Day two is done of the setting up of the granny flat.  The company we employed works away while we do the same in our joint.  That is when we are not out.  Day one was a stay-at-home day.  Day two saw us out and about.
The first port of call was to some people we have just met who have recently moved into the area.  This was after Merril had cleared out our bathroom sink so it could be changed over to what we want (that was a part of our quote). 
The new people had heaps of stuff to donate to the market.  So we were helping them by taking away a bit of stuff and they were helping us by donating stuff.  As far as we were concerned it was a lot of useful stuff.
One of the comments they made was exactly what we are finding.  So much is held onto that never gets used.  Keeping it is a waste of time and space.  The only difference is these are younger people realizing the futility of holding onto much.  How young?  Well, we are called Uncle Peter and Aunty Merril.
The market bore out the usefulness of much as a portion of the stuff was purchased.  We also had some stuff from our place as we are using having to pull out things to determine if we really want them.  Where we decide we do not, and they are useful, we donate them to the market.  The market was an opportunity for people to purchase stuff cheap knowing the proceeds went to our pantry, to for us to see and talk to people.  It was good.
After it Merril and I went back home.  My stay was longer than Merril’s, as she had an appointment to attend.  She left before 1.30.
I stayed home and had lunch while watching the US election results.  I also used the opportunity to prepare for going out that evening.  I had a few things to organize and put on paper.  I did that and also saw a guy on you tube talk about elections.  He talked more sense than I have heard before.
Merril was delayed in returning and got back later than expected.  We made our way to our evening engagement fairly cactus.  Turned out we were not alone.  Everyone was tired but everyone was also glad to have gone to the event that refreshed and helped us refocus.
A good day.  Today is full too but with a slower start and that is welcome.

Well here we are on day two of the granny flat set up.
I was very much encouraged by something I read today.  It makes me think that all this set up is a good thing.  We do not know who will use it at this stage but we want it ready.
The builder did stuff yesterday while Merril dealt with the kitchen cupboards.  We need to empty them so the new one can go in next week.
It is amazing what we discover along the way and how often the question arises, “do we really need this?”  As mentioned previously we always ask the question “is it beautiful or useful?”  There is another one I always forget.  But if I had to I would probably ask as well “is it meaningful?” 
I say that because so often something can seem insignificant to me but is full of meaning for another.  For example I have kept mums wallet containing a picture of her and her hand writing.  That would mean nothing to most but means something to me.
It is interesting the associations one has.  Merril told me yesterday that thunderstorms remind her of her dad.  That is because she would often look at the web and ring her dad to tell him something was on the way.
Totally unrelated but I remember my bro mowing in a thunderstorm.  We were all encouraging him to come inside.  But to no avail.  What did make the difference though was when I went out thinking. “Well if he is going to go I am going to go with him.”  That brought him in quick smart.
So the builder started his bit.  I spent most of the day preparing for people coming over that evening.  I did ring a couple of people I have not spoken to in a while to make sure they were ok.
One is a guy in a home who has had a stroke.  He has a great attitude.  He doesn’t know it but he encourages me.  He would say it was the other way around but really it is both ways.  He was our sax player.
All did not go as planned.  I called the get together in the evening off.  There were storms around and several were crook or were not going to be there for whatever reason.  I did not want people on the road.  So we all had a quiet night (well I assume we did.  I do not think any went out partying till the early hours of the morning.)
Today is another day.  Both Merril and I have lots on.

And so it begins.  The things we are changing around the place that is.
Today is the start of the granny flat we are putting in what was our garage.  The reason we are doing it is to provide accommodation to either relatives of others who visit that may require accommodation for a night or two.
It has very much involved our needing to strip the place of everything in it.  Then cementing happens and installing a shower and toilet etc.
It was going to start last week but was delayed till today.  We heard from the builder last night that he will be here just before 7am today.
We have a tight schedule as we have three major things happening this month.  The next is getting a new kitchen.  This should provide us with more needed room.  That starts next week and will involve demolishing then installing.  A skip arrives this Friday as do the cabinets for the job.  
We are trying to avoid making a mess of our place.  We know it is only going to be for a short while, but for sanity purposes we are trying to keep access to areas.
Later we are going on a cruise to a couple of Pacific Islands.  I have never been on a cruise before, but Merril has.  She is definitely looking forward to not feeling she needs to cook.  I can see us doing exploring of the ship and a lot of reading.  Then exploring the Islands.
Anyway that is coming up.  This week is full on.  We are having people come over this evening.  Tomorrow we have a market (collecting some stuff for it before it) and I meet with someone.  In the arvo Merril is going out.  At night we are both going out.  Friday the skip and cabinets arrive, and I prepare for a men’s breakfast on the Saturday.
That is just this week.  Next week is the kitchen but we will cross that bridge when we come to it (having emptied the current kitchen this week.)
I do not mind activity.  It will be interesting to see how close to our dreams the place is.  Of course after that is more clearing to set up areas with flooring we are clearing out now.  I think we will be gainfully employed for a while.