Where Would You Be Without A Fridge Door?

Have you ever contemplated on how much a fridge tells you about a person? I don't mean by what it has in it, or just by what it has on the door, but also by how everything is displayed.

As a writer, I’ve always found characters and traits interesting. It is, after all, not only the basis of all fiction writing, but a big part of writing for your market as well - no matter what your genre. 

Now, though, as Steve and I travel from one home to another and constantly make new friends, the concept has never been clearer. Especially since every fridge, in every home, seems to be as unique as every person.

There’s no doubt that fridge doors make excellent notice boards and holders of important information, but what is actually kept, where it’s put, and how it’s put there, is just as indicative of a person’s character.  We’ve used fridges that have doors which are completely untouched, except for a few small, neatly placed, hand-written notes, to the other extreme of using fridges that are completely covered with lifetimes of family photos - completely covered. Plus, of course, fridges with every amount in between as well.

Don’t forget, also, that most fridges have a collection of magnets that reflect their owner’s views and outlook, and are used as a space to ensure relevant business cards, vouchers, flyers and other important information is on hand. In fact, just last month, I urgently needed a dentist and (not being used to the area we were in) the first place I went was the fridge door.

Makes you wonder what people did before fridges and magnets - or, from a writer’s point of view, what (how and where) a story’s characters would have kept on their fridge door. 

One Bag Or Two?

There’s no two ways about it… if you’re living out of your car, you have to put a whole load of thought in to what clothes you pack.

For Steve it wasn’t a particularly tough job selecting - he’s always been a jeans and T-shirt kind of guy. For me it was a little tougher, primarily, I think, because I’m a girl(!) and due to the fact that it’s kind of hard to pick the right clothes when you don’t know exactly what you’re going to be doing or where you’re going to be living. I mean, will I be going anywhere that requires a dress and high heels, or will I always be able to get away with jeans and boots? Plus, of course, if you don’t know where you’re going to be, then how do you know if it’s going to be hot or cold? To say nothing of if you don’t know what you’re going to be doing… And so the list goes on.

In the end though, I picked clothes that didn’t need ironing, a selection of everything (including a good choice of jeans, comfy tops and thermals) and reassured myself with the knowledge that if I got caught out most towns had a good Op shop. 

But there was one thing that didn’t cross my mind - at all - and yet now I’m constantly aware of the oversight… and rarely with a smile! 

Any ideas of what it was? Please tell me I’m not the only one? 

Animal hair! 

I can’t believe I didn’t think of it!

So, if you’re planning on becoming a house-sitter and in the process of packing your bags, please remember that 90% of house-sits include caring for animals, which will therefore include lots of stroking and cuddling, and... for some strange reason... pets are always moulting. 

So... avoid packing anything that’s black or that picks up hair… and that’s just as a starter. But it does lessen the clothes to pick from and therefore makes the task easier, so who’s complaining? 

But how could I have overlooked it… really?

Constantly On The Move

One of the things I really like about house-sitting - which is also one of the reasons we decided to take it up - is that by caring for one different house after another we get to constantly try out different of lifestyles, pets and locations. 

In fact, as I’m writing this blog post I’m sitting outside on a delightful cottage garden property, looking out from a pergola at dolphins playing in the canals of South Yunderup, all the while listening to the squawking of seagulls and singing of canaries. Yet just last week we were staying in a small unit in a friendly community on the edge of Perth city, walking distance from an array of coffee shops and restaurants. Next week we’re up in the fresh air and peace of the eastern hills on a large block, looking after Malamute huskies. 

Yet, as a total opposite, we have friends who are quite happily living in the same house they moved into after leaving school (some 30 odd years ago), and know couples who never intend to move out the house they bought together. But Steve and I have never been that kind of people. As a couple, we like change and variety. 

Let’s face it, after all, Steve started travelling around Australia at 19, and I moved to London at the same age then emigrated here at 23. We’ve both always been happy exploring different areas and opportunities - which is perhaps why house-sitting is so ideal for us. It’s certainly why at one point of our lives we’d moved house seven times in twelve years. Some house-sitters only like long stays - 3 months or more, but we’re having fun with the shorter ones too - especially now we’ve finally got everything to fit neatly in the car.

Every house and location is different, requiring different care and offering different benefits - and that’s before we even consider the individual characters and charms of any animals we’re also looking after. 

It’s only been a few months so far and already I’m surprised by the variety that Perth has to offer…