The next morning again broke fresh and clear, and we all had coffee on Irma's veranda with the birds vying for the number one place on the chirping charts. But I had a small little devil on the pit of my tummy, niggling away, trying to spoil my delight in the morning. After breakfast I had to mix cement and put in the sittingroom floor that was still just a sandpit!
The others left just after breakfast, and I eyed the mountain of sand and the heap of cement bags with worry and doubt. I just knew that I was not up to the job, but it had to be done before my furniture came, so I looked up to the heavens and sent up one long and earnest prayer for help, but after waiting at the gate in case of help being sent passing, ready for my asking them for help, I knew that the job was mine alone.
I was just starting to mix the first lot, when Christalina, the girl who did the creosote for me, called from the gate, asking if I needed help! Was a bitty unerved, as God at least could have sent a strong man instead of this quite small woman with her thin arms and even thinner legs! But I thanked Him with vigour, and half an hour later sent up another thank you prayer, as Christalina would work any of the wine soaked males under the table! In Haarlem there are not many sober bodies over the week-ends!
It was hard work, and soon our hands were raw and sore, but by late afternoon the floor was thrown, and Christalina and self, both a little bent, stood looking proudly at this huge task we did so well! She was actually very good with a plank and trowel, and I would never have been able to get the floor as smooth as she did. I was so thankful that I payed her double of what she asked for.
I then made myself a healthy lunch and took that, and a flask with coffee, down to the river. My down to almost nil spirit lifted immediately, and I felt the tiredness evaporate as I entered the green eeriness underneath the huge Poplar trees.
I enjoyed my lunch, and sitting there on a rotten treetrunk that had fallen over, I could feel my energy levels increase. To me it was amazing how sitting in a green forest or just under a big green tree, my sorrows just evaporates!
I thought about the last few months, at the amount of work I managed to do, never in my life imagining self throwing cement and making window frames! I was sorry for all the times I accused God for being so unfair, giggled at Irma and self being swallowed by the mattress, laughed out loud at the recollection of Christalina covered in creosote, and Hannes's ladder that was spoiled for life, but I was also very scared. So far I could simply pack up and go to my flat when things got too much, but with my flat rented out, I had to just stay put and get over whatever bothered me. But at least the house was ready for my stuff to be moved.
After my meal I was quite revived, so I gave my trees, them just starting to form a few new leaves after Sheila's cows ate them up, a good soaking before I left for George to finish my packing, and get ready for the move!
The reason I am doing all the work myself is not only because I loved doing it, but to get people out from George or Uniondale was just so expensive, and the locals did not want this kind of jobs, and  also I had only a little money to work with, not wanting to sell my flat!