Three Steps Forward Two Steps Back: The Bit Between My Teeth

I'm due to fly back to Goteburg, and on to Jonkoping. It must be winter now, I am sure. Preparations are going well. I have a back up list of fresh houses to view should I fail to get the one I have in my sights. I'm prepared for a second viewing on my target property with a list of stuff I have to check. I have a little time with friends which I will cherish. Cozy is a word that has become important as I experience the winter weather of Sweden. Will I get the house I want? Can't make up my mind whether to cross my fingers English style, or cross my thumbs Swedish. Seriously though, I do this without hope. Hope nails you to a certain outcome and I cannot afford to do that. I remain flexible and open to new possibilities.

As an aside I once told my grandma' Emily Winterburn that I had an open mind. She told me to be very careful with an open mind. Rubbish can fall into it!

Here in Warwickshire my house modernisation steams ahead at break neck speed. The builders are in as I write. They are putting in a studding wall so that I can create an en suite shower room. I am preparing a guest suite to offer as a Monday - Friday let. This damned recession continues and funds are going down. I need income, and I need to be smart with my resources. Talking of trying to work smart, I have a little sister, a typical Taurus girl. She is brave and charges in, and she almost always pulls it off. She is also smart so her risks are calculated. As her cautious older brother I let her run ahead, then learn from what she has achieved. Not noble, but sneaky smart, and I am not ashamed to admit it. I have to get this house sorted so that I am ready for the Swedish project. I scare myself sometimes. This is full on.

The Wall