Things are brightening up in our Close

Before the extension to our small 2-bedroomed home, in 2004,


and now, at long last, an after-extension photo, with the outside of the house all painted!

This extension has provided us with an extra bedroom so the kids each have their own space, a fantastic new kitchen and dining area running down the length of the side of the house, an extra living room/spare room for visitors facing the rear garden, and what was the old kitchen to the left of the front door, will now be a computer/den/library/spare room. At the moment it's used as the work/storage room for all the decorating stuff with the convenience of the sink and running water for the many brush washings that I have to do. We also have converted the coat cupboard into a downstairs toilet and added the porch to store the family coats, shoes and outdoor toys.

There is still quite a bit to do, the front garden needs tidying up (and paving, probably), the hall, stairs and landing need alot of post-extension work and decoration, the bathroom ceiling needs attention after the builders put their clumsy feet through it from the loft, and the old kitchen will need converting, then we'll finally be in a position to sell if we get the Canada situation sorted.

On that front, my brothers wife now has our CVs', and is doing a bit of networking and research from her end to see what our chances of jobs are. We've now discussed and accepted the possibility that we may have to start off elsewhere in Canada if a job opportunity comes up, then move to where we want to be if/when our permanent residence application is approved. I also now know that we won't make the required points because of the importance placed on formal education within the points system.

We all want to go so much but realise that if we keep hold of the idea and work at finding a way to make it happen then it will eventually work out, even though it will take patience and perseverance to make it so.

Meanwhile, life continues to be as busy and stressful as ever in the Gadget household, interspersed with a bit of fun, relaxation and laughter.