The Last Resort

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The Eldest and Dilly completed the purchase of their first home in August but have continued to live elsewhere whilst they restore and decorate to their satisfaction. Yesterday I visited a niece who has only just moved back into her house after a period of 6 months, again to allow refurbishment to take place. It all makes Mister E's and my desire to remain in our home whilst the floors are drilled out, despite knowing that the facilities we have access to will be reduced, appear a little bizarre. 

Are we stalwarts from another age? Has retirement rendered us incapable of coping with change? Are we simply showing early signs of cognitive decline? Have we entered an era of indolence?

I guess it's hard to explain our thought processes, especially to those younger family members who have willingly left their homes vacant and sought to avoid disturbance and potential misery by basing themselves elsewhere. To be honest, I'm not sure I can even explain our reasoning to myself. Why should we be any different to those who are 30 or 40 years younger when it comes to confronting property renovation?

Obviously, we haven't reached retirement without a multi-decade accumulation of possessions, all of which, were we to vacate, would need to be boxed up and taken with us along with all our furniture. With age too has come the experience of knowing that things can and do go wrong with building works of any kind and there may, therefore, be merit in being close at hand to inspect and seek rectification. Besides, alternative temporary accommodation which is thin on the ground almost certainly will not be to our liking when familiarity, location and home comforts are more important to us now than ever before.

They are all excuses and I know it. Our attitude is probably influenced instead by obstinate refusal or even naivety in accepting the full consequences of what is going to happen. Is this attributable to sturdiness of character or a product of this phase in retired life?

We believe, like our younger generation, that we are going to tackle things in the easiest way possible with what we hope will be only some minor discomfort. Our approach, however, is in complete contrast to that of our family members. Moving out will be a last resort but are we confusing staying-put with the retention of personal autonomy? Is it stubborness or a strategy that will work for us?

In case it does not, maybe we should start hoping that the Eldest and Dilly get their house ready to host visitors soon. Alternatively is it time to buy a caravan? There always has to be a Plan B, right?

(Image by lovecats from Pixabay)




Comments

Marksgran said…
Like you I would prefer to remain onsite. I'm not sure why, maybe because it feels more inconvenient to move. I suppose it would be ok if you had a close friend or relative you felt comfortable living with so that you would only need clothes with you, however, even that after a while might become tiresome. Maybe a few long weekends in nice hotels are called for? Good luck whatever you decide. x
26 November 2023 at 20:34
Caree Risover said…
I like your thinking. It echoes our own exactly, especially when it comes to a need for repeated “mini breaks.”
27 November 2023 at 07:33
Treaders said…
The thought of packing everything up to move out would just about kill me so I'm with you. That being said, my youngest and his wife looked at a renovation project in the next village over. He has the skills to do everything up and of course they could live with me during that time but I did ask them how they felt about coming home from a day's work to start another day's work at the renovation project. It wouldn't be fun at all would it!
27 November 2023 at 10:52
Caree Risover said…
Oh Treaders, my feelings exactly on both counts (packing and extra work).
27 November 2023 at 13:24
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