 |
About
three years ago we got some plans drawn up for an extension to
our house. A guy I knew at university is an architect, so we used
him. He came up with a really good concept, of extending out the
back of our place. It would really open up that part of the house
to the sun, and to magnificent views up the harbour. At present
we can only look across the bay from inside the house, and have
to go outside to see further up. Oh, and did I mention there would
be a big deck to sit outside on!
So
we got the plans drawn up, and got all excited and imagined living
in the new place. And then went to the bank. Where our personal
banker — not the current 16 yr old Jason who's really pretty
good — poured a large does of financial cold water on our
plans. In retrospect, that was good, as no way could we have afforded
it, but at the time, well, let's just say “banker” rhymes
well with a word starting with “w”.
But
a couple of months ago, flush with the riches of two full-time
wages, we got the architect to update the plans, and do some new
ones to extend a room out the front of the house. We've also had
a quantity surveyor do some detailed cost estimates for all of
the extensions. It's too much for us to do everything, but we're
starting to believe that original extension and deck are possible.
We're having another meeting with the architect next week to discuss
things, and then will have to make a decision.
It's
not just a decision about extending the house. It's a decision
about living here for a while longer. I love this place. I love
the views and the outlook. I love the morning sun in our bedrooms
and the afternoon sun sliding down into evening. I love the water,
and the waves, and the yachts and wind-surfers battling into the
wind. I love the solid feeling the house has always had, and it's
square, sturdy shape. I want to stay here.
Deb,
I think, does and she doesn't. I know she really likes it here,
but she worries about the section not being ideal for young toddlers
to play on. And she worries that we don't have drive-on access
to the place, and that for the money we might spend on extending,
we could get a bigger place somewhere else. But for all that,
there'll be times when she'll come up, and slide her arm around
my waist, and say, “I want to stay here … ”
So,
I think we will stay here, and I think we will extend the house,
and I think Matthew will grow up here.
|
