The rural life continues, but at least it's pretty. It has been an interesting week (most of which has been spent on the train to and from work), with a little bit of everything you can think of thrown in.

The Wairarapa, while famous for its baking sun, has been very... unfair. Misty mornings, sudden down-pours and arse-kicking winds. The only consolation has been that I've been in Wellington working for the most of it. And have been given a ride to and from the station each day. Living 'at home' has its perks.

The sheep have been taken out of the paddock, too, which is nice. No more navigating the lumpy (read: potholes and poo) gravel drive in heels at 5.30 in the morning to open the gate for the car to get through.

But today has been sunny. A burning sunny. The kind of sun you're scared to walk across the porch in lest you lose all hair on your arms. It was fantastic. And terrifying. So we went to the movies.

I'm missing everyone in the city more than you can imagine, too. I've been based here for over a month now, and there's no time for socialising after work when you have to get straight on a train. Even then, that train doesn't get you home until after 7 o'clock. You miss a huge chunk of Shortland Street folks! Here's a big shout out to all of you. You know, to go with those emails, txts and facebook posts.

The dog has his head on the head keyboard, and is trying to get my attention for something. It seems like the only thing he's achieving is a stream of gibberish. Half of this entry is his ramble at the moment. I'll delete it before I post, mind. The dog dribble between the keys might be harder to get rid of.

The next time I write here, I will hopefully be moved in. By then I will have a collection of shots so you can see the progress we made in the renovation (and the way it looks once I'm settled).

There'll be drinks at my place soon, keep your ears and eyes open - it'll be some time after buying my couch, no doubt.

D: Amy, stop painting your jeans.
A: But how else will they know they're my knees?
D: Was the smiley face really necessary?
A: Fine, then you clean the brush.

Majority of the painting's done.
And we're getting carpet!

Alright, so we've been working hard on getting the flat into a condition that I can live in. Easier said than done. At one stage, we were actually on schedule to finish before (and I move in by) the 17th - so I can head back into work on the 18th with a clear(er) head and not have to panic about commuting across the Rimutakas at some mind-blowingly early hour.

But, life happens. Or, in some cases, not. Grandma's passing and her funeral put us back a few days, understandably. Then there was the time that dad fell off the ladder (gasp!) and the foot of the ladder went through the floor. That's what the picture's of, if you couldn't tell before. Oh, and mum dodged an ambulance on the open road and lost her left-hand mirror. Not really a story for the flat, but a story I felt I needed to share to highlight my family's luck at the present.

So, the point? We're a little while away from finishing. Like, a lot. Or a little less than that. But more than before. Yeah.

Living at home! It has its perks. Though, our younger cousins are currently staying so there's a couple of blondies running circles around the house with lil' bro (who's not so little any more) in tow. I'm hiding in the spare bedroom, which I'm sharing with the more agreeable one.

Which is one reason I feel I need to share with the world the little guy who is keeping me sane throughout this all...