The flatmate moved out this week, and I am finally back in our old room on the top level of our Waterloo townhouse. And in a real bed...our bed! Since May of last year, I have been sleeping on an inflatable mattress in my office at home. Because Mark and Zane stayed in Tucson--see my other blog, Casita Klatsch, if you don't know what I'm talking about--it was necessary to continue renting the upstairs bedroom to the flatmate. Maintaining a home in one of the most expensive cities in the world is a daunting task, and his rental income greatly subsidized our mortgage. Add to that the rent we have had to pay for a place in Tucson and you can quickly imagine the benefits of sacrificing a little comfort.
At times the office has felt like a prison cell. Moreover, it is strange being a guest in one's own home. But now the flatmate is gone. He felt it was time to move on, and so he did. I don't blame him. It worked to everyone's benefit to have him here. He got a sweet deal on rent, and we had someone to look after our pets while we were all in Tucson. I am grateful he took such good care of Roger and the cats. He'll be back now and again to visit Roger and take him for the occasional long walk. The two of them have become very attached, and it made me happy to see Roger's nub of a tail wiggle so gleefully today when the former flatmate came over to fetch some things he'd forgotten. If anyone understands the human-animal bond, it is me, and I am delighted their friendship will continue.
So now it's just the critters and me in this big ol' empty nest. But things will change again soon, for we are listing our townhouse to sell. It's time, for various reasons. We don't mind, however, because we have been considering renting the place out and moving elsewhere anyway. I love our neighborhood and will miss it dearly, if it turns out that wherever we move next takes us out of these environs. There are other, equally wonderful neighborhoods in Sydney, and I am keen to experience another part of the city, if we even stay here. And so we'll downsize, something we've been meaning to do regardless. After all, we don't really need all this space. And we definitely don't need the double car space, certainly not for a Vespa. If Zane gets into one of the US boarding schools at which he interviewed last month, we'll be able to downsize somewhat more. It is not like he would never be home again, but at least we can economize the space that he'll call his when he stays with us during his breaks. Strange to think about.
Maybe one of these days, I'll be able to say that I know where we'll be and what we'll all be doing for the next few years. Until then, I'll just try my best to trace time.
