So far life in New Zealand seems a bit like being thrown back into the 70's! Things aren't so materialistic, household chores still need to be done by hand since we don't have a dishwasher, and electricity is apparently very expensive so people try to avoid using a clothes dryer. So our family now hangs their clothes to dry and washes dishes by hand.... it actually reminds me a bit of my childhood! Even Kevin is out there hanging the laundry!
Our first couple loads of laundry took 3 days to dry as it kept raining! But now the weather has cleared up and it is beautiful!
We have been having a lot of fun setting up our new home! We have really gotten to know the local stores as we have had to purchase everything from start up groceries to beds to yard furniture. Then we have built everything that we've brought home. I think we are just about done. We need to get Danae her own bed and mattress and MacKenzie her own mattress. Her bed is on order and will be here next month.
We were able to buy pretty much everything for our home at amazingly discounted prices! God is so good! Our big things, like our bed, kitchen table, living room furniture, outdoor furniture, we purchased for the same or less than when we had bought the same things 18 years ago when we first got married! It is end of the summer sales right now, so everything is 40-80% off! It's been fun to see what great deal we will come upon next! We even found a 'trademe' warehouse where we got some amazing deals. Trademe is like ebay.
We purchased a 1999 Nissan Presage van/car yesterday. It is in mint condition. They import vehicles from Japan and then sell them here. They have incredibly low mileage and all the writing in the vehicle is in Japanese! It's really quite funny. Our van seats 8 people and has 2 sunroofs. So we're all set for showing people around when they come visit! Vehicle insurance is dirt cheap! Our van is only $550 for the whole year! NZ dollars! That's about $500 CDN! The only thing is that the girls aren't allowed to drive it because it is a 3L. We didn't know that until we went to insure it! So we may pick up a little $1500 car and insure that for them. They will be able to drive on their own 6 months from when they get their learner's licenses. It's easier to learn to drive in a little car anyway.
Speaking of driving. Kevin has been doing great driving on the other side of the road! I even drove for a bit one day and didn't turn the wrong way! It sure takes concentration, though, to rethink every turn and shoulder check. Even the rearview mirror takes getting used to!
We have found amazing long distance plans. You can buy a calling card for $10 which gives you 300 minutes to Canada. So the kids have been able to chat with their friends for pennies. They are all doing very well adjusting. They have been having a lot of fun setting up their rooms. I will put some pics in here once their rooms are pretty much done and tidy....so maybe never...haha
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