Family Being Family

In 1986, I married my wife. I also married her family. It was a small family, my wife had a grandfather and his wife, Grandma, living in Birkenhead. They had a daughter who live din a care home nearby. Of the same generation was her Grandmothers stepsister and her female partner (also known as The Aunts). Then there was her Mum and Dad who also lived in Birkenhead. Her sister and partner lived in Birkenhead behind her Grandmother. And that was it. Utterly manageable.********** ********** Some history. ********** My wife’s grandfather was a collector of many things, from tools (old woodworking) to paintings to houseware items. He attended many auctions religiously. His property I Birkenhead was a ½ acre section with not only a 1930’s villa but residue from his collections. He was also a wise man. Between 1945 and to his death he bought land at Onetangi Bay, Motuihe Island, ½ an acre at Long Bay (Beach Front) and a full acre high above Muriwai Beach looking up the beach (paid 25 pounds). He sold both Long Bay and Onetangi Beach sometime in the 70’s. He worked most of his life at the Chelsea Sugar Works. He built a bach (10m x 5m) at Muriwai which could sleep 3 comfortably (once cleared). His penchant for collecting was evident as only room for one to sleep. After he passed away we set about clearing both the Bach and the Birkenhead property which included an ancient Villa that he and my FIL had demolished and stored on site. In the 80’s and 90’s, we as a family had spent wonderful memories at Muriwai. There was also a caravan on site which The Aunts used exclusively. Fair to say, I did my share of work for my new family. At Muriwai Jimpa had stored many old timbers, iron and nails screws etc, and I built a new outhouse cum shed, Shower, replaced the roofing and new guttering’s joined onto the water tank. Even managed to get running water (cold) inside the Bach Kitchen.********** In the early to mid 90’s, after clearing Nan’s section, she wanted her large house painted. She was quoted over $3,500. I said I would do it for her for $800. As the old paint was probably lead based, armed with scaffolding and Wet Sand paper, I washed and primed as I went. No dust. Took two weeks but much fun (my history in the Navy was littered with many large paint jobs.). A few years later I helped her regain her back two rooms (full of nicknacks, tools, and other items. Managed to get hold of some old panels sourced from the RC Chapel at Tamaki and rebuilt the walls (with panels on site) and ceiling. She had room to use her sewing machine in the daylight. ********** I also painted The Aunts House, which was handily located next door to us. Although it wasn’t bigger than Nan’s it was 2 storeyed and, on a slope, so the scaffolding had to be handled with care. Once again, took two weeks. I am not sure how my wife felt about me spending summer holidays painting but what is done is done. *********** My last work for my new family was at the In Laws 1930’s villa in Birkenhead where I assisted my FIL wallpaper two rooms (none of the walls were square) and painted the Hallway – ceiling to floor, and lounge ceiling. *********** In 1995, after discharging from Our Navy, we bought a house on Forrest Hill Road (as stated next door to The Aunts). The house was built in 1955 by a builder, and had several rooms added over time. The first thing we noted, no shower and it took 45 minutes to fill a bath. We set about rebuilding the bathroom to a more functional layout, and also set about remodelling the Kitchen and Dining. I took 2 weeks off work to oversea the renovations. My builder was a good friend of The Aunts. My original Plumber had quoted $800 for the job he had to do. Sadly, he couldn’t do the job so I hastily sought another Plumber from a Glenfield company. I asked him for a quote and he said he’d charge the same has original plumber. The Electrician charged me $380 to rewire, new hot water cylinder and power and light fittings. Great guy!! ********** Was a good move (the Plumber). After the work was completed, I got a bill from the Plumber charging me $1,800. Lucky for me I had noted all the hours for each tradie on site. I took my daughter to his office so he had to be “Nice” when I told him all the hours, the extra work helping the Builder, and times when he had to get new tools at the workshop Eventually got him down to $1,300.********** Before my mental health diagnose in November 2000, I had managed to repaint my girls bedrooms, wall panelling in the lounge, turning the old water tank under the lounge into a Kiddy’s playroom and had half pie panelled the ceiling in the garage under the Main Bedroom. Sadly, I had to get the property ready for sale and sadly (again) we only got $204,000 (now worth $1.4million as at 2025)