Spring Cleaning

After several months of deliberating, hubby and I decided to start on our next major project since we got married: renovating our home. We have been putting off this renovation project since I moved here eight months ago simply because until now we (well more of me) are not entirely convinced (yet) if we want to make the Netherlands as our permanent home. Hubby knows that I am more of a city person, and when I say city, I mean bigcity which unfortunately is non-existent in the Netherlands. Even if we do decide to stay in the Netherlands, I think I would be able to get more job possibilities in Amsterdam or Den Hague, which would mean that we have to relocate.We considered if investing our money in home improvements will be wise given that at some point we will have to move, perhaps in two years or even sooner. I am just thankful that hubby is open to relocating, and lately he even quipped that he miss staying in London. I do like the area where we live. I like our home but I just couldn't see myself settling in this country on a long term basis. Not just yet. The past eight months have been a test case for me, and as I grow to know about the country, there are more reasons why I am having second thoughts of staying here on a long-term basis. Perhaps I need more time to appreciate this country, but having lived abroad for a couple of times, I know that there are other areas I would rather be right now. It is strange though because should we decide to relocate, I know that I will miss our place. In fact if we would have the option to maintain it, I would gladly do so. Hubby bought this house just a few months before we started dating. At that time he had his own idea on what to make out of the place, not surprising very much suitable for a bachelor lifestyle. Since he travelled a lot and likewise had to commute regularly from the Netherlands to the UK , he never got around finishing his "projects". I always teased him that he must have waited for me to come over so I can share the burden of fixing up the place. Although hubby has already done a lot prior to moving to this house, having a wife with her own set of needs changes the whole spectrum of "space". We both agreed that no matter what we decide in the next year or so, changing the kitchen, and doing some enhancements to our place will always be beneficial for the sale should we decide to relocate. And so the past few weeks, we have been busy scouting for builders to do the renovation work and in between our hectic schedules have to look through several kitchen options. It also proves to be difficult to look for a couch which hubby and I both like. We almost stumbled and agreed on something but to our frustation would have cost us as much as changing our whole kitchen. So we are back to square one just looking for a couch to compliment our "new" look. We are now finalizing the contract with the builders and renovation work will start in a few weeks time after we come back from our trip to London. We also had to delay the renovation as will be having guests next week. Some college friends of mine, who are now in Germany for work/holiday, decided to visit us prior to flying back to Manila. I am really looking forward to see them again. Hubby is taking a few days off from work so we can take them around. What I don't really look forward to the next coming weeks is packing all our stuff to prepare the place for the renovation work, organize and throw the stuff that we won't have any use for; all the mess; and to some builders coming and going into our place. On the other hand, I can't also deny that I am quite excited to see what will come out of it all.