7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 ...

IT’S HAPPENING … It’s now seven weeks until we hand the house keys over to our tenants.

I’ve decided to write a blog each week as we count down. These blog posts will be like a journal. In months to come, I may want to read over these ‘Count Down’ weeks and remember how I/we felt. Plus, people who are thinking of living on the road might find it helpful.

This week has gone so quickly. We got the truck back from the garage (again!). The mechanics are confident that they’ve found the reason the sensor light flashed intermittently. Apparently it’s fixed now. We’re hoping they’re right.

This week I started a new job at a local school. It’s a temporary position that has funding for 8 weeks. That’ll take us to the end of the term. It’s an interesting/challenging job. I’m running a ‘Nurture group,’ which involves supporting a small group of 5 year olds - who for various reasons have challenges being at school.

The school has a positive, supportive vibe, and the teachers I work alongside are friendly. The Nurture Room is well resourced. I’m grateful to be back teaching without having the long hours, reports, meetings and all the associated paperwork.

Plus, I’m fortunate this position ends a week before we leave.

So…with only 7 weeks to go…

• ·      We have to complete the kitchen deck.
• ·      Finish painting the sleep-out.
• ·      It’s all looking good with finding tenants (there’s been lots & lots of interest).
• ·      Bernie is ready to leave work.
• ·      The truck seems to be fixed.
• ·      And, the awning for the rig has been made.

Finding the perfect tenants

On Saturday night we placed an add on Trade Me to rent out our house. We advertised it as being semi-furnished, pets negotiable and stated we wanted long term tenants. It wasn’t long after the add went live that emails started arriving with interested tenants.

We’ve decided to let people view the house on the 11^th June. That’ll give us two weeks to put the final coat of paint on the sleepout and for Bernie to finish the kitchen deck.

The house will be available on the 8^th July. That’s the middle weekend of the school holidays. Enough time to pack-up and vacate during the first week of holidays.

Who Knew?

A few months ago we got a COF for the truck and rig. This month it was time to register the truck. Bernie went to register it and was told he couldn't because the truck didn't have a COF. He explained that it did and went and showed them the COF ticket. Only to be informed that it had been cancelled by The NZ Transport because Bernie didn't have a 'Transport Service' licence. 
Bernie explained the truck was solely used to tow a private fifth wheeler. That it had a permanent hitch on the back, making it impossible to transport anything else. Apparently that makes no difference. We were told because the truck was over a certain gross laden weight ( 6000kg) the driver needed a 'Transport Service' licence. So the COF had been cancelled until Bernie applies for one.

How annoying! Not only will it cost $449 to get this licence, but no-one told us. NZ Transport never contacted us to say they had canceled our COF. Grrrr.

Just goes to show ... you're never too old to learn something new!

The information below was copied and pasted from the NZ Transport Agency's website.

Who needs a transport service licence?

Whether you're an individual or a company, you must hold the appropriate transport service licence (TSL) if you're operating:

• a passenger service
• a goods service (a service that delivers or carries goods, whether or not for hire or reward, using a motor vehicle that has a gross laden weight of 6000kg or more, including one that is 'on hire' to carry goods)
• a vehicle recovery service
• a rental service.

A Dinky Awning

We can tick another job off our 'To Do' list. Bernie wanted an awning that would act like a porch in wet weather. A place we could take off our jackets and boots before stepping into the rig. Also it would be a place to feed the dogs when it's raining.
Bernie drew up a design of what he wanted and 'Scott & Williams Canvas & PVC Ltd' in Nelson made it.

All the windows have blinds and can be unzipped to allow air flow. Plus there are insect screens on all windows.

A Day In The Life Of A Relief Teacher

Relief teaching in a year 5 & 6 class (9 and 10 year olds) today had a few challenges. Like most classes, there were some ‘tricky’ kids who decided to test the boundaries. At times their behavior was disrespectful and unco-operative. But behind their bravado I sensed there was anger and sadness.

Being a reliever and not knowing their backgrounds I presumed there would be a story - a reason why they were acting out.

Once the class was engaged in activities, I quietly crouched beside each of the ‘tricky’ children and had a conversation with them.

Here’s how it went.

Child 1 had talked continuously while I was addressing the class. Even when asked to listen she ignored me and continued talking.

Me: Why don’t you try to listen when someone is speaking? It’s respectful to listen.

Child: I don’t care.

Me: It’s important to learn respect. We all have to show respect, even adults have to.

Child: So.

Me: When you get older if you’re not respectful towards your boss you could lose your job.

Child: I don’t need a job.

Me: Yes you do. You need a job to get money to pay for things.

Child: No I don’t. Mum and Dad will buy me things.

Me: They won’t always buy you things, not when you’re an adult. You’ll need to have money to pay for your own things. That’s why you’ll need a job.

Child: Nah, I don’t need a job…I’ll just go to WINZ!

How does a nine year old even know about WINZ?

Child 2 looked angry. His face was scrunched in a scowl and he was deliberately provoking his peers. I asked him to find another place to sit to do his work and told him I’d come and help him. He did as I asked while showing as much disgust as he could.

Me: Why are you feeling so unhappy?

Child 2: I’m tired. I didn’t get much sleep and I didn’t have any breakfast because there was no food in the house. We had to go to Countdown before school.

Me: That would make me unhappy too.

Child 2: I hate school.

Me: Let me help you with your activity, we’ll do it together.

He agreed and I sat beside him and we continued to chat.

Me: How were your holidays?

Child 2: I saw Mum in the holidays. I wish I lived with her.

Me: I bet you do. Who do you live with now?

Child 2: My Nana, my Dad and my Uncle. My dad says I’m the devil’s child.

Me: I don’t think you are at all. If I had my own class, I would love to teach you. I think you’re an awesome kid.

Child 2: No you wouldn’t. I’m evil. I’m no good.

Me: Honestly, you’re not evil. There’s something really special and nice about you.

No wonder this child’s so angry. He’s 10 years old and believes he’s evil. It’s understandable that he’s annoyed with life.