Project: Lake District

We formalise the sale of our flat today! Finally, I can reveal the big project. As usual, I kept it under wraps as I didn't want to jinx it and end up feeling so excited and then nothing happening.

We have been looking out for a bigger place, not that ours is puny, for a while. Before K and then it sort of died a natural death on the birth of K. Especially since we had to travel between the east and central part of the island at that time. Sometime in late August or September, the hubs mentioned to me about a unit he saw on-line and then I decided to take a look and found another potential unit.

Long story cut short, we viewed the flat and somehow felt quite comfortable with it. Unlike previous bigger units that we have viewed before, this one didn't give me a half-hearted feeling. And the fact that it was fairly bare, with no built-in cabinets except in the kitchen was a draw. I don't like how some flats have built in everything which will likely become passe and have to be torn down.We made an offer within 2-3 weeks after the first viewing.

Which means, we have to sell our flat too. So, in came Zul, and I must really give him credit. Within the first day of listing, we had 2 viewers and the first made an offer but we were not ready to move out so fast. In less than 1 month and probably almost after 10 sets of buyers, our flat has found her new owner. There was 1 evening, we had as many as 5 sets of buyers viewing our flat!

The hubs was initially worried that we can't get a buyer so fast but I guess where we are staying is the selling point in itself and the fact that it is bigger than most units these days made the sale easier.

I am looking forward to the bigger unit at the soon to be developed 'Lake District'. And at the same time will miss a lot of what I've been used to especially since this is our first matrimonial home.

Our activity filled weekends have picked up again.

While still coughing and sounding nasal, we went ahead to attend the 21st birthday of the hub's relative's daughter. Because it is the same relative who usually holds gatherings for all their relatives, all of them are not immediate cousins but distant, the food was good! The french chap, step-father to the 2 kids is a good cook and so is the mom really. The hubs' family was the only one they invited and then the birthday girl's friends. 

Her friends decorated the function hall beautifully except for the disappointing helium balloons which started deflating too soon! Lol.. Having in mind to celebrate K's 3rd birthday, like finally, I was trying to 'steal' ideas on what decorative items I can put up. 

And after church this morning, we only had 1 service today, there was a small spread of food available. And then we went to Jeremy's. While Jeremy and Tim drove off again, after sending Ivy home, to collect the turkey, the hubs and I brought K out to Courts as the hubs needed to get some prizes for his company's upcoming Christmas party. 

I had brought K out in the hope that she'll catch a nap in the car but unfortunately, after wailing and staying in the car for a while when we returned to Jeremy's block, she did not want to sleep at all. We told her to take a nap as soon as we go upstairs and she even bargained with us after she play for a while. When we reached Jeremy's flat, she reluctantly followed me upstairs to the room and eventually, her favourite uncle was with her, entertaining her with stories and she still didn't sleep. And of course, her favourite uncle then carried her downstairs and she started playing with her girl cousins.

We had early dinner, unwrapped the presents and had rainbow cake, specially bought for K by her favourite uncle, again. We left about 7pm, squeezed into the car and a short while later, K started wailing. Just because she was getting restless from being so tired and wanted to sleep. She slept through the 3 siblings alighting and all the way home. When we reached home however, she woke. Anyway, it was good as we could let her have her milk, rinse her down and get comfortable in her pjs. 

We were all able to sleep at our usual bedtime after reading to her 3 books. She has another party in school tomorrow. Our contribution of panettone was brought to her school on Friday. Well, another day of fun for her. 

Our little Christmas tree was put up a few weeks back and although the cold wind is starting to descend on us, it's a lot later than the past years. I usually start humming 'It's beginning to feel like Christmas' by November every year but this time round, it's the week before that I can feel it.

Our 'celebrations' start this Saturday, with a 21st birthday party at the hubs' relatives home. I'm not too sure if we're going though, with the 2 of us still feeling under the weather. On Sunday, we have a church celebration after the morning service then my own family's dinner at Jeremy's in the evening. And on Christmas eve, we are going over to the youngest BIL's home for some barbecue with the SIL's side of the family. The hubs had wanted to invite his family over to our home for dinner but I guess the youngest SIL already made plans and since we asked, decided to have us join them.

Presents have be bought and this year, K is definitely more attuned to the season of eating, decorations and presents.

M is on a holiday since Monday and it feels good to be home when it feels like before, just us. Just the 2 of us and of course K. And while we should be enjoying it, the 3 have ended up feeling under the weather.

It started with K getting slightly feverish on Saturday and then the coughs and slight running nose came about. She's better now, after the manuka honey drink that the hubs made for her in her water-bottle, which she had to bring to school everyday and drink it for the past 3 days, and of course, over-the-counter cough medication. Now the hubs and I seem to be the worst for it. Having not the need to consult the GP, the same can't be said for the hubs and I! Yes, both of us consulted the GP yesterday evening and hopefully, like what the Doctor said, if your daughter recovers in such a short time, you will too!

I was on course today so it was a good break away from work, especially since I was busy ever since I came back from Chiangmai. And our my way back, I could finally say we're getting some cold wind from the year end weather. Or is it just me because I'm still sick? :p

M brought Esther over to stay on Thursday evening. The hubs and I have been telling Esther that we'll bring her over sometime during her school holidays but never actually got round to it as we need to pick her up from Jerry's, which is usually out of the way for us. Esther called me to ask if she can stay over while M was at their place and since M was going to bring her out on Friday, while the hubs and I are at work, why not.

So on Saturday morning, we skipped the market run, since we had sufficient supplies in the fridge, and brought Esther and K to the fire station. We dropped by Alexandra fire station initially but is didn't seem like it had anyone other than the staff in there. So after I got off to check with the officer if they have an open house, we decided to drive over to the central fire station.

There were so much more visitors at the central fire station and they were more prepared or rather, more used to attending to such crowds that they seem to have a proper flow of what they showcased. On the other hand, I reckon that the fire stations at the neighbourhoods do not have the same systematic flow. Upon request, Esther and K both had a plastic replica of a fire fighter's 'helmet'. K was a little apprehensive and I had to carry her throughout while the hubs had to carry her while 'playing' with the fire hose.

We went for lunch after the the open house, then to the supermarket and the 2 girls took their nap after K showered. We spent the rest of the day at home and I made pizza for them while the hubs went to attend a wedding dinner, of which, he left even before the dinner started just because he said he missed us. Awhhhhh.

And today, Esther went back home after church. Having 2 girls in the backseat is a nice thought. You can just leave them on their own and they can talk and imagine all sorts of things. And boy, can they talk! 

I had been so busy and probably stressed since I came back to work on Monday that my period was delayed and after 3 days, just like clock-work it came as soon as the software issues were solved.

On top of the usual claims to manage, the company practices early salary pay-out in December and there I was having to process a truckload of claims, which the staff inevitably try to submit before the year ends, on top of ensuring that bonuses are paid out as well. And as murphy's law dictates, everything that can go wrong did go wrong. I encountered errors while processing which my colleagues in HQ have not come across before.

So on Tuesday, for the first time in this company, I stayed till 7ish pm just to check on the payroll and because I had to manually key in staff details in the bank site, I had to lunch in yesterday. The issue was settled yesterday evening and when I processed the claims run again this morning, everything seemed to be back to normal. And a while later, dear auntie flo reared her head again.

Now I just pray that there are no mistakes with bank details. :p

We're back from our 1 week holiday in Chiangmai! And before that, we or rather, I was so busy that I couldn't find time to blog although what I had wanted to write was constantly on my mind.

We were supposed to kick-start our vacation last Saturday with a staycation. Kenneth's cousin had some staff deal but was cancelled last minute due to some mix-up which was just as well as I hadn't started packing for our trip to Chiangmai. But the Victors, Salahudeens and Cordeiros went ahead with the staycation at another hotel. We brought K over for some pool time and then we had dinner with them.

On Sunday evening, the 3 of us took a train ride to Jeremy's to stay the night as they stay very near the airport. Our suitcase was sent there after church and Jerry's family were already there when we arrived. So technically, our holiday started on Sunday evening for the kids.

While we enjoyed ourselves in Chiangmai, especially on the elephant ride, ride on the ox-cart, bamboo rafting (K was asleep by then and the hubs carried her and waited for us at the final station), I was disappointed with the weather. It wasn't as cold as expected and I had packed for K and myself, trousers and long-sleeved tops! Another thing we had to miss out was the night market. While Jerry and his family seem to shop quite a bit, we were restricted by K's sleep time. Although I must say she was so sweet to allow the hubs and myself 1/2 hour of leg massage while seated in her stroller. Not an easy feat, considering how boring it is. Just imagine yourself being strapped up for 30- 45 minutes, not moving.

On the whole, we had fun and K breezed through the flight and enjoyed herself. Am NOT looking forward to work come Monday.