Today it is all finally over!
The house project for me has come to an end and I have finally been paid for all the massive amount of work I did. I spent 12 months (to the week) planning, managing and working my butt off and after three months to the day of leaving the project I have been paid. It is nice to finally have recognition for what I achieved there and also so please to be freed from it all. I worked out with all the hours I did, I worked on average 10 hours per week over the 12 months. That included all the research, arranging, planning, co-ordinating, buying, travelling, and physical work. I kept a log of all hours worked by both participants, I also kept a note of the hours that Cam worked as well, it was very interesting to analyse it all. I did 65% of the work; Cam did 9%, so that leaves 26% for the other one and his sidekick. By the time the house is completed we might be even. LOL. Ah well, I knew that would be the case so not to worry about that now.

I learnt so much from the project and it wasn’t about DIY that I learnt the most. I learnt that even under the most ridiculous amounts of pressure, stress and poor treatment I am strong of mind, resolve and sincerity. There were times where I thought ‘is this really happening?’ as I did think my mine was paying games. It was so good to have Cam there to tell me I wasn’t going mad, and most of the time I was judging the ‘games’ correctly. No more tantrums, no more brain damage and no more angry people. Ahh it feels so good. If I can survive that I can do anything right!

I do want to mention that I am thankful for Mr Warren senior’s confidence in me to do the project. It must have been hard for him to remain impartial for most of the project especially as the resentment rose and I was drawn into a daily battle to over things that really shouldn’t have been an issue. This is where I learnt that if you have someone living in a do-up project make sure they truly understand they live in a construction zone and not a pristine cosy home. Always learning, always amazed I guess.

Perhaps one day I could add this experience to a chapter of my book… call it ‘how not to get be played by a narcissist’. Ha-ha... good to be able to laugh about it all now… too many tears have been shed over it so it is well and truly time to laugh and enjoy life.

A big thanks to my wonderful friends who listen to me, helped me and advised me. From a couple of comments I know you watched me go through hell… thanks for all your love and support!!

The biggest thank you goes to my wonderful Cam. Thank you for being my helper, my shoulder to cry on, my sounding board and of course my protector. Always felt safe with you by my side.

So now I have the money I am now totally debt free!! AND going to Spain for my birthday next year!!!!
Now that is so damn exciting!!!
*does a happy dance all around the house*

Another one from Bebo for saving...

The end... and the beginning...
	I just worked out that it has been 14 years that cancer has been somewhere in my life… and seven years, one month since I got diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. However today, 16 February 2009 I got told that I am no longer a risk and I am considered cancer free. I don’t have to go back for tests as I thought I would, I don’t have to faff about with wondering where I might be in the world for those tests. I have to say I’m a little stunned as I thought I’d be running around jumping and carrying on, but rather I feel absolutely satisfied that I won. I actually beat it and after being told that I wouldn’t see Christmas 2003 I am still here. I’m more than still here… I’M HERE larger than life and much older than I thought I’d ever be able to enjoy. It’s time to get on with it… life, you and me are about to get serious and achieve some things. Look out people… I’m back and I’m dangerous!!!! I want to say ‘thank you’ to a few people. When I first found out a couple of people were there for me… sat with me and helped me have a ‘life’ when things were so terrible. Mike Edwards spent so much time rubbing my back while I was so very ill, bringing light into me day. So did Adrian Maka, I will never forget the time you sat with me while I actually threw up after Chemo. You were so unsure of what to do but you were perfect in just sitting there. You rock my friend!! I want to mention my friend Carla as well. She started off as my boss and became a great friend. She didn’t know at the time but working with her gave me more hope to fight. I saw how she got on with life, let God hold her when things were tough. But most of all she accepted this broken girl for who she was. She is a truly beautiful woman. The old school Auckland Toyspeed people who kept on going like nothing was wrong with me, inviting me, involving me and letting me into your worlds. Many of you may not remember, but I remember you all crammed into my tiny flat above the Shell station in Howick partying with me and Mike, I think it was a birthday party but it was a little more than that for me. The cruises around Auckland, the foolishness we got up to… the fun I had in those first couple of years was totally amazing. Most of you have moved on, got married, had or having babies, having big adventure but you all have a place in my story and my photo album. Someone I want to add is my lovely Miss H… nah, the wonderful Miss H. Thank you Lisa for listening to me over the last few years with all my babbling and most of all thank you for all your babbling when I needed someone to distract me. You’re awesome! If I haven’t said thanks to you and you feel you should have one… then ‘thank you’ Right I’m done… lol thanks for reading. And if you did read it all and are thinking ‘damn I really should do something exciting’ then bloody well do it!! Man… I need to be ‘Aunty Chelles’ to more children, go to more weddings and share some exciting things with my friends. Take care my friends Chelles
	posted by Chelles	Edit | Delete

6 Comments:

	Tap the bottle & twist the cap said...	324 days ago
	Yey for Chelles ! but booo.. No chance of acquiring that bookcase should you fall off the planet anymore.. drat!
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	Ngaere No Mates said...	323 days ago
	That was lovely to read Chelles, I've had a shit day, but you put it all in perspective, I wish I could look at life the way you do. You are always happy, positive and caring, EVEN through all of that in your life! You rule! xxxxooooooxxxxxx
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	Lisa Hennessy said...	323 days ago
	babblebabblebabblebabblebabblebabblebabblebabblebabblebabbl ebabblebabblebabblebabblebabblebabblebabblebabblebabblebabb lebabblebabblebabblebabblebabblebabblebabblebabblebabblebab blebabblebabblebabblebabblebabblebabblebabblebabblebabbleba bblebabblebabblebabblebabblebabblebabblebabblebabblebabbleb abblebabblebabblebabblebabblebabblebabblebabblebabble
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	Adrian Maka Mroizoo said...	323 days ago
	Wowow!!! Dont know about anyone else but reading that was a tear in the eye moment! Not that i would though Biggie ups for showing that stuff who is the boss!!
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	Chelles said...	323 days ago
	Thanks everyone. You are all fabulous. I'm pleased that it's inspired you.
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	Natalie I said...	323 days ago
	YAY! I knew it would turn out for the best