The Man Drawing


Sometimes, having a discussion with Mr. H is like playing a game of chess. 

Wife to Husband:
In anticipation of our move to Vietnam in a few months, I suggested that we might need a decorator to help sort a few things out.  We have to merge rooms, furniture and I want to upholster a few pieces to save time on the other end. I could see husband was not keen on this idea.

Husband to Wife: 
Mr. H suggested there was no need, as everything would work together perfectly. He proceeded to draw a map of the house for me.  (Note: I have never seen the house) The dimensions of the room are marked with a squiggle. He managed to indicate a circle for the dining room table and the area where he thinks the TV and sofa should go, in the living room. Priorities established.

Wife to Husband:
...Mrs. H says "Ah...let me just clarify this (she then highlights key features in blue). "We have a mystery room on the left of some size, an 'L' shaped hallway that leads to a kitchen...and then to the dining room, and then to the living room where the most important items of your affection are placed. Correct?"

Husband to Wife
Mr. H, happy that I understood, confirms that this is correct and all our needs will be met. He smiles. Checkmate...(almost).

Wife to Readers:
Wife immediatley thinks of the two 40' containers that travelled from New Zealand to England and looks at map. Wife needs your help...oh wise readers, how should I play this next move?? 

FYI...wife does not want TV in living room.
PS...wife is going to Vietnam in April to look at house, with measuring tape and a camera.

Any advice, humour, encouragement...all accepted! :)

Jeanne xx


Comments

  1. Whew! you have an interesting challenge there. I'd add some grid paper to the trip supplies and keep my thoughts very secret until you have the chance to take pictures and map it all out. Then you begin chipping away! Perhaps the mystery room on the left is actually the "den/tv room"?

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    1. I think you may be right Webb, Mr. H mentioned that he thought he spotted a TV in there. The 'kids's room.
      Although he wasn't sure.... :) xx

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  2. Oh my gosh that is awesome. We have been slowly renovating our house, and I can't tell you how many 'napkin-drawings' I have had to endure over the years. Good luck!

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    1. Ah, Mary...the beloved 'napkin-drawings'. I think someone should devote a book to them. The stories they would tell! :)xx

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  3. you did very well in this moving discussion :) keep up the good work ! courage!
    anni

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    1. Thanks annie....never a dull moment with this one! :)xx

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  4. I'm still trying to get my head around the squiggly line room dimensions concept! Is it possible to put it out of your mind until April, when I have no doubt you will be able to solve all! There's not too much point worrying till then is there? I'm sure you'll create a beautiful home that you'll both love. You've done it before right!

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    1. Thanks Kerry...I am sure it will all work out in the end, it usually does. The squiggly line sent me into a fit of laughter...I then knew I had to add this to the blog...another little memory. :)xx

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  5. Hmmm, I'm with you on the tv not being in your livingroom! Feed him first and remind him "happy wife= happy life!"

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  6. Try taking him out into the garden facing away from your present house and asking him to do a 'drawing' of it! The accuracy of that sketch might help you to judge the reliability of the vietnamese home-sweet-home ... just an idea, my apologies if it sounds patronising. They do things that we could never, or at least would never, and vice versa!
    happy negotiating
    xx

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    1. Sharon...not patronising at all...if I asked him the location of the main water pipes in our house, in the event we needed to shut down the water, he would not have a clue. I am the 'wifeband' around here. I give him credit for many other attributes, understanding the inner workings of a house is not one of them. This would explain the drawing. :)xx

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  7. Aahh, the eternal debate between men and women:-)Why is it that men don't seem to understand the difference between a house and a home:-)? I'm sure you will work out everything the moment you see the actual place for yourself.

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    1. Agree Carina...can't wait to see the actual place! :)xx

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  8. So far, I haven't found a door into the living/dining rooms. A personal visit on your part is definitely in order. We'll be looking forward to seeing what you come up with. Good luck!

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  9. Hilarious! Love the priorities. Whilst we are house hunting here (and our 40 ft container is now in town with nowhere to unload yet!) the Huzz's priorities have been is there enough space to have a full basketball hoop stand set up and where the enormous flatscreen tv is going to fit - neither of which we had in NL! The joys of international moving!

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    1. Victoria...when Mr. H moved to London ahead of us, he bought himself the largest flatscreen TV known to man. He lived in an apartment for a year on his own before we arrived. All I can say, is that the TV was the dominant feature...in the livingroom. Hang in there...it gets even better! :) xx

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  10. Before we moved from Michigan to Northern California my wife took a lot of photos of the house she liked which she thought I will like. We talked a lot about it on the phone while she was in California and talked more after she returned.

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    1. The smart way to approach buying a house Edgar. Mr. H is always one step ahead of me, moving on before we catch up with him. There have been two occasions when he found the house first. The first was disastrous...this is the second. I have higher hopes this time. :)

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  11. I am still curious what takes you to Viet Nam?

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    1. Anya...work takes us afar...always an adventure. :)

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  12. Dear Jeanne,
    With all due respect to Mr H, you need to gently fire him from his position of CHF (Chief House Finder) and move him aside, perhaps to a role where his skills are better suited? (I'm thinking... something to do in the TV Remote Department?) Then you need to FLY yourself over to Vietnam BEFORE he has a chance to start sniffing around the property ads in the newspapers and find a house that is better planned out than that dubious-looking floor plan. I'm very worried about the scale of that plan. I gather Mr H is not an architect??? Or an engineer?? Is there even any room around that gargantuan dining table for dining chairs? Or do guest simply sit ON the table? The hallway looks to be the biggest room in the house. Perhaps you could all live in that? (Seeing as there doesn't seem to be a bedroom, or even a bathroom, in that plan.)
    Very funny post. Loved it!
    Janelle McCulloch xx

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    1. Janelle...yes, the hallway has taken on interesting proportions and I hadn't noticed the lack of a bathroom!
      I was wondering if there was cheese set at the corner of the living room as it looks like something mice would run thru to reach the end prize. In this case it is a TV...dear Mr. H, he means well. I like your recommendation...FLY...SOON! :)xx

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  13. I'm really feeling this one Jeanne. Each move we made the same 'conversation' arose, and although it was my role to get us and our stuff there (wherever there happened to be this time) sort out the house, schools, etc...husband couldn't help but share his ten-cents worth! Stand your ground! You do know (much better than he) how this all goes down.
    Is the house western-style or vietnamese-style? That could play a major role in what fits where.
    I chose a Thai-style house for us in Bangkok...so many interior sliding doors!! Water-storage in the basement (along with mosquito farm)! Air conditioning in every room in the house - except the kitchen! Washer-dryer outside! Oh yes, and we had one of those ? rooms too...ended up assigning it over to the maid for the ironing!!
    Good Luck!

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    1. Jacqueline...we think so much alike, the house is western-style...American colonial, so I have been told. I thought it would be fun to stay in a vientamese-style house...for the experience but think I may be thinking too big on that front. Air conditioning is essential. Ideal temperatures for me are about 20-22C...I am at my most content around there, a sweater weather girl from way back. We are talking 30-35 and higher in Saigon. This is going to be so so interesting...:) xx

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  14. Oh my goodness Jeanne, I am still laughing as I type this!

    When my husband found our temporary house, the first move we made together I agreed over the phone it was probably fine as he described, after the paperwork was signed and I arrived sight unseen I discovered that an entire room was missing! Not sure how that happened, he sill isn't either.

    In our second house we actually both remembered things differently and ended up with a few pieces of furniture that did not fit that we had purchased specifically for that house!

    On my last move where my husband lived for 6 months with out me I arrived to the house to find not only a new huge flat sceen TV but a new home theater also, the screen is as big as one from your local theater and comes down out of the wall.

    I cannot wait to see and hear your impression of your new home. Will it be your first time in Vietnam?

    I am excited for your adventure! Still puzzled over the squiggly lines for the length of the room, is that some sort of code that you too have developed for measuring rooms?

    I will say this, it is a great thing that you are taking care of all of the details! Otherwise I fear you might be living with a TV and a mattress and a refridgerator, all essential but not neseccarily the only comforts of home.

    I hope you have a fabulous weekend! Elizabeth

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    1. Elizabeth...This all sounds so familiar, especially the flat screen TV...what is it with men and TV's? I should be careful what I say as I can hear a comeback on that one...having something to do with computers. :)
      Yes, it will be our fist time in Vietnam.
      The squiggly lines are a mystery to me as well! :)xx

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  15. I like Janelle's comment for CHF (Chief House Finder)! How did he measure thigs with tape or his feet? Using one's feet is common with my guy pals and father. Have you seen pics or is it online? That would help with the planning. Good luck and take along some de-stresser items like chocolate!

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    1. I like your thinking Lisa..chocolate it is ! :)xx

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  16. Ah men. Grrrr. I get so mad when we need to redecorate or move something or whatever. We can never see eye to eye.

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    1. I hear you Loree...one minute they are saying,, you decide and then when you do...they want to decide. I could go on for hours on this one! :)xx

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  17. Hi Jeanne,
    it's always the same, men, sons and TV. Because we live in Germany, soccer is the favourite sport being watched. With Satellite Channels it's not more two afternoons a week but rather every day.
    We have got only a small flat with about 100 sqm an no room left, so I got the idea to change the sleeping-room into a second living room.
    I laid out the bait in form of a big flatscreen, so we have a nice media room now. The TV in the living room is just for family watching.
    So if you have perhaps a room left, you can change it into a little cinema with relaxing seats and dolby and all those boys stuff.
    Good luck anyway and "liebe Grüße",
    Sassa

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    1. Sounds like the perfect plan to me Robinson...I like your thinking. :)xx

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  18. Oh I look forward to following this conversation!
    xo Lisa

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  19. Jeanne.. loved your post.. I think I'd CONVINCE Mr H anywhich way.. that you definitely are only taking HALF of your current furniture/goods.. send the rest for storage to Au.. take this half container to VN.. and FILL the container up with VN furniture for when you return one day to live permanently in Au?.. voila.. all those stunning pieces of furniture I know you'll find the minute you land in Saigon! I have some contacts in Decor there if you need some references?.. sorry Mr H.. :)j

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    1. Jean...MR. H is beaming! He suggested the very same idea to me. Now that you have said it as well, you have me thinking... I started a Pinterest file, 'Vietnam inspiration' and I have to say, I am very inspired.. :) xx

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  20. Thanks so much Chris...I am coming over to say hi! :)xx

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