(Thursday, 2 April 2020 and Friday, 3 April 2020)
I’ve thought long and hard about this update. You’ve all become accustomed to upbeat, keeping busy and somewhat philosophical posts of late and I know that you’ve said this helps keep you both entertained and positive. So in that respect I feel I’ve failed you in some ways by today’s post. I couldn’t write it earlier, I’ve really struggled to find the words or the inspiration. Because Day 18 (day before yesterday) and Day 19 (yesterday), I was having a bad day. I was low and as a result, struggling for energy. I’ve touched on the fact that there are good days and bad days, but not really dwelt on them… either in reality or in writing. We’ve kept busy, doing things that give us a positive vibe etc and it’s worked, largely. We’ve been focussing on the house and making improvements that will benefit us and the guests in the future. And whilst Mark has been busy doing the hallway, I’ve not helped him as I normally would as I have been doing admin stuff.
Unfortunately, the ‘admin stuff’ to which I’ve glibly referred is unbelievably distressing and painful. Processing endless requests for cancellations, paying bills, forecasting expenses still to come from our dwindling bank balance and having to bite the bullet and make arrangements to take a payment holiday from the mortgage in an attempt to stem the cash that this house bleeds on a monthly basis. I’ve never had to do that in my life before. In 33 years of having mortgages, I’ve never missed a payment.
It’s a big house, it’s much like a princess and both very high maintenance and expensive to keep. I mean, it’s not like Mark and I need 8 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. 🙄 😂 Without the guests, it’s a ridiculously huge money pit, so the bullet had to be bitten and we were grateful to the mortgage company for their speedy and pragmatic response.
It’s a huge relief, but it sucks. It really sucks. And despite the positive outcome, it knocked me for six and so I had a couple of days of feeling really low, teary, listless and, if I’m completely honest, downright scared. I tried a couple of times to sit down and write my update, but I ended up writing a whinging, pathetic brain dump of how I felt and then having a damn good cry. It probably helped – in fact, I know it did. But it certainly wouldn’t have been the right thing to do, to foist it on you all 😳 😂
Just as well that I did go through the process, the Austrian Govt yesterday announced an extended closure period for hotels and guesthouses. We will now be closed until 24th April, minimum. No mention of extended lockdown yet, but suspect that might also come.
I was much cheered by the mortgage company’s response to the situation and having spent many years in Financial Services, I know that any lender is happy to hear from you if you are struggling, they will work with you on how best to ride out any storm. It’s in their interests and in yours to find a way through. I mention this (and the above barefaced and honest telling of our own story) because in the event that any of you are struggling. I urge you to face it – and head on. Yes, it will hurt like hell, be distressing and painful and you will probably reduce yourself to a blubbering mess, like I just did, but that part will pass. I promise. 😁
Failing to man up and deal with it (preferably, long before it’s an issue) will not end well, the problem won’t get any smaller and will be a lot more painful if you don’t. Pick up the phone and call the lender/bank/credit card company etc, or speak to someone who can help you with debt planning advice. These are unprecedented times and as a result, there is no shame in having a disadvantaged situation right now. And believe me, they will be sympathetic and help you. I’m hoping that if any of you happen to find yourself in any kind of similar predicament, you might just be encouraged by my honesty here. And so, here endeth my lecture… 😬 😆
Over the last couple of days, Mark has continued with his amazing single minded progression in the hallway, finally completing the last of the woodwork and banisters yesterday. Yayyy!!! Well done Mark! 🥇 😁 🙌 He really has done fantastically well on a particularly difficult job. We scrubbed the floor to within an inch of its life and returned all the furniture and bits to their normal position. It looks fab!
For now, the crazy low night time temperatures have passed and we have some lovely sunny weather coming up. I performed my annual ‘krypton factor-esque’ reconstructing of the temporary greenhouses and moved all the plants and seedlings out from Room 4 and into the sunshine. Not a minute too soon, even with the extra light in that room, they were starting to look a little straggly. Hopefully this will slow their upward reaching a bit. 🤞
Having had my couple of pathetic days and a good night’s sleep last night, I awoke this morning again feeling positive and upbeat. You will be pleased to know that normal update service will be resumed from now on 😇 😂 I might even get the camera out a bit more and take pictures.. that also went to the wall a bit the last couple of days. Sorry!
Stay safe everyone xx
