Off we go...yes we are THERE...

It never ends...

2011-07-26T17:46:00.000-07:00

Well as you can see we are at it again...This is the retaining wall being built with the blocks that we purchased one week before our handover for the house. So let's make a quick calculation shall we? So there would be Daughters birthday gone then Christmas gone, the Boxing day bash (quite successful too I might add, 72 people aaarrggghhh!) then next Daughters birthday gone, my birthday gone, husband's birthday gone, then daughter's birthday gone again mmmm so according to my tweety bird watch that would be about a year and a half ago that we purchased these blocks. Not bad hey? Yep pretty damn quick.

So the plumbers (real ones) have started and with copious packets of Tim Tams (I think that is the only reason they agreed, I buy in bulk when they are on special in Coles for this particular reason) and coffee, it is underway. The "pit", the second one, is in the ground. The downpour we had last week was a real test. There seemed to be flooding as per normal but I feel it would have been much worse without it?

I have already half planned the feature wall that will be going onto those timber posts. I stipulated that it should be easy for me to paint myself when I should so desire to change the colour. Which I will, so be warned. I think I will have a sitting Balinese statue sitting in the middle and maybe Bromeliads or something else either side. I will decide when it's done and not a minute before. It will be lovely, I hope. I had already purchased 2 gorgeous Balinese statures that are now standing in the entryway and making a statement. I do love them inside and I don't think they will be moving. Oh no, guess I will just have to get some more...damn...double damn...

A nice place to sit

2011-04-24T01:51:00.000-07:00

The garden has evolved and grown lovely and lush. Here is a pic of the afternoon sun shining on this glorious place to sit. Not that I ever have, but should ever want to it will be lovely, I'm sure.

The timber screen is on the top of the great wall and the foliage looks superb against it. Mmmmm luuurve my bamboooooo.......

12 months on

2011-03-05T23:20:00.000-08:00

Has it really been 12 months? Yep, we have been officially residing here in our new house for a year now. So I thought it would be interesting to do a catch up on what we like and what we don't like quite so much after having really lived in the house.

Ok so,

Love the look and the feel of the porcelain tiles under my feet, so smooth and comfy.

Love that we were able to double our Al Fresco size. Great space.

Love the plan of the house, it works so well with the way we live.

Love our appliances and how they work.

Love the Moon River walls all through out the house. It's a soft peaceful colour that goes with everything.

Love that we chose to render the house.

Love the carpet. The colour and the style.

Love the laundry being off the kitchen and it having it's own door to the outside.

Love that we were able to put the clothes line right outside the laundry door. (Well actually there was nowhere else for it to go as personally I didn't want the clothes line in the backyard.)

Don't love the fact that we have abundant storage in the bathrooms and the cupboards are half empty.

Don't love the fact that we could not afford to extend the height of the wardrobe doors to the cornice. It limits the use of that top shelf when you look in and see that the cavity goes all the way to the roof.

Don't love climbing the stairs all the time, and no I have not seen any evidence of body weight reduction.

Don't love the noise of the water pipes when the showers are running but getting used to it.

SO all in all, that's off the top of my head but I guess there would be more either side. In conclusion I think that list is not so bad.

We have so much more to do but it's all money, money ,money, as ABBA said, and boy didn't they know they would make heaps from that song!

Be gone Colourbond fence, be gone...

2011-02-25T02:59:00.000-08:00

Damn you fence, damn you. Mental note...hide that damn fence.

Who's been playing in the water bowl? Where has all the water gone?

Bug City

2011-02-24T00:46:00.000-08:00

No, not that Bugs.

We have just paid a few hundred dollars for the Termite Warranty Inspection and a pest spray.

We have recently had the pleasure of finding the biggest Whitetail spider I have ever seen in Miss C's bedroom on the wall while she sat statue still in shock horror on the bed. We have also had a few too many of the weirdest moths I have ever seen, a few cockroaches, flies, mozzies and other nameless spiders. SO I ask you, what was the few hundred dollars for? Huh?

Hence my next paragraph. We will very soon be investing in fly screens. Now, I know they look a bit daggy, but after awhile I guess you don't really notice them. Do you? (she asks hopefully and hopefully again you will give the right answer). After all, we do live in a country where our fly salute is a birthright. I've quite often seen little babies with their fists curled tight waving their hands back and forth. It's in the genes. Really it is. So therefore one would think that in this great country of ours that flyscreens would be in Vogue, so to speak. Anyway now the dilemma is (as far as funds go) blinds or fly screens? Our temporary paper blinds have done us well. They are now looking very worse for wear, but then again aren't we all? Yes yes I know, speak for yourself, ho hum.

STOP PRESS...

2011-02-24T00:43:00.000-08:00

One deep breathe and PUSH...*pop* ...now it's triplets!!!

OMG!! It's TWINS!

2011-02-23T18:07:00.001-08:00

Yes TWINS!! My beautiful Neoregelia has had twins, you can see them either side of their mum here. Mind you she is looking smashing and blushing with her pink hue lipstick. This is actually quite a large plant, it does not look like it though from this photo.

The garden has really taken off as late, thank goodness for the water tanks. I cursed the Council (and I still do) for the cost we endure for those bloomin damn tanks. I guess we have had benefit from them though. Especially when the kids were given that Slip n Slide for Christmas. It was great but we warned them not to swallow any water as the tank had it's own multicutural population explosion going on inside. Yuk.

Dodonaea hedge

2011-02-05T18:25:00.000-08:00

Dodonaea viscosa "Purpurea". It turns from this gorgeous lime colour to a lovely burgundy colour. I love the way the leaves point are shaped. I have clipped these very regularly to keep them bushy. I also have one out the back but it is a single specimen and it generally grows into a tear drop shape. I think they are looking great and are nice and thick. I'll let then grow up to make a nice screen. I think they are doing well also because the soil was so poor there as it became a bit of a dumping round from the build. I have improved it a lot with compost, cow poo and peastraw and sugar cane. Have also used a bit of molasses and Powerfeed.

You can see in the bottom left hand of the garden bed my rogue tomato plant. Not sure where ut came from but it is growing like crazy and producing about 30 little toms a day. They are sooooooo yummy, that real deal tomato taste. I'm just going to let it run along the driveway until it's done. May as well, free food!!

Yes that is till our old mailbox, that's so the postman didn't get too confused all at once. We had to keep that little part of the old fence to keep the mailbox. Not sure what type of mailbox we will have because we are not sure what type of front fence we will have. So I guess that mailbox will be staying for some time yet.

Hi ho Hi ho off to fish we go...

2010-12-11T01:37:00.000-08:00

Yes it was great fun. And YES we did throw them back. Too teeny weeny. Getting the hook out always sees screwed up faces and eeewwwww's.

I'm busy...check my FB page....gone fishing.

This one was a "keeper", nice sized leather jacket.

Oh and if you remember in our previous fishing adventure, Oscar the very "generously proportioned lab" was also there again today. He takes up the whole width of the wharf when he sits down. He was given no food by us and when we left we saw him waddle up and sit down next to the next visitor grinning cutely, thinking "here comes another few kilos of tidbits"

A bit sticky

2010-12-11T01:20:00.001-08:00

What? Just another plant? Maybe...look closer

Found this little guy on Miss T's plant on her room. Cutie huh?

We hoped he would be happy there and take up full time residence but in the morning we found him on the stair post. How did he get there though? Those little stick legs could not possible take him all that way across the plush chocolate carpet, passing by an unsuspecting snoring dog and a mum that almost never sleeps due to listening for outside noises all night long. *yawn* (and yes I would have heard those little snappy legs)

So dad decides to toss him from the balcony to "freedom", yeah right. He landed right in the jaws of waiting skink! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrgggghhhh!!! 2 daughters in hysterics, aahhhhh, a fight ensued, no not the daughters, with the skink and the stick insect. OMG!!!!! The sight of the 4 of us racing down the stairs to rescue him was something akin to the 3 stooges. What a hoot! At least I know I have daughters with a heart. SO the stick insect was snatched from the waiting jaws of the dastardly skink and safely placed on the Hydrangea out the back. He looked a little pale, mmm, I am not surprised after what he has just been through. Being flung from a balcony and nearly eaten by a skink then snatched back again. That's enough to make anyone look a little "pale" even if you are green already.

Then...(no too much excitement for you is it?) Miss C finds ANOTHER stick insect on the glass door! What's going on? Is this the Invasion of the green toothpicks? (Could be a movie?) So this one was also deposited on the same plant for safety. I did actually see the original stick insect (I know it was him as he has a missing leg, no that was PRE skink, we are NOT responsible) on the other sliding door. Maybe I should say I see NUTHING.... camouflage.

Update

2010-12-11T01:16:00.000-08:00

Just a little update. Here's the front garden. Just wee babies but they will grow.

Cutlery on the wall

2010-11-26T22:31:00.000-08:00

This canvas has been many things over the past 10 years. At one stage it was hot pink and had white paint footprints of Miss T and Miss C on it. Wasn't that a nightmare. Getting their feet painted in white paint and then getting them to stand on the canvas (and ONLY on the canvas) in a certain spot to keep it remotely ordered and neat. Oh gee. Hardwork. Anyway, it has now become artwork in the new house. It's a shame that you can't see it in situ (well some of you will) but it really suits the are and gives the wall some personality. I saw the fabric online and bought it. It arrived in the post box and took about 20 mins to create. The most difficult part is actually getting it affixed to the wall.

For the photo I had to con Miss T into holding it up on the wall. It will be perfectly centered and much lower of course when it is done properly.

I really think it's suited to the wall as this is the kitchen and casual eating area. Well, most of us "eat" some others (who shall remain nameless and faceless in the photo ) "stuff their faces".

Da da da daaaaaaa...

2010-11-26T22:28:00.001-08:00

OH look, a visitor dropping by to admire the spectacle already!

Click on the photo to enlarge the view, it's worth it.

Balloon flower is on it's way....

2010-11-26T22:23:00.000-08:00

Yes it's come out of Winter hybernation (like the rest of us) and is about to show it's gorgeous face...

Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Campanulaceae
Genus:	Platycodon
Species:	P. grandiflorus
Binomial name
*Platycodon grandiflorus*

stuff

2010-11-23T02:44:00.000-08:00

Just a few trivial items of interest.

AAArrrgh wild animals all over the Sir Walter.... and that's only HALF

of the collection!

I have had to rearrange this area soooo

many times now.I under estimated the far reaching rays of the Summer sun. It seems that this area is bathed in it in the morning and then it goes right around overhead and it cops it

again in the afternoon. Thus you can see that this Bromeliad is "blushing" from the sun.

It is actually now in flower. (See what happens wh

en you don't Slip Slop Slap?)

Flower? you say, what flower?

There they are, the little mauvey ones below.

So you try and do the right thing. Set a good example, take the kids fishing so that they may experience an activity that somewhat resembles an activity not based on some electronic gadget or computer and what does she have on her t shirt?....I'm Busy...check my FB (facebook) page *OMG rolling eyes here* Hang on a minute...What? What's that I see??? What a great example, dad on the phone....

Please be assured that this baby fish WAS returned to the ocean and it's mum as soon as the pic was snapped. Bet that little bugger won't go playing where his mum tells him not to again.

Child number 2 did feel it was a little chilly. She had to take up residence in a blanket to survive the afternoon.

This lovely old dog is obviously a local and manages to gobble up a few packed lunches and maybe even some fish. Looks like he has the

routine pretty well wired. There's a few to many generous visitors I think.

"Uh Oh" (the unabridged version)

2010-11-02T04:51:00.000-07:00

I saw this in an email and thought I would share it with you.

This is what the GPS WON'T tell you...

Oh I just noticed something...they are all men, standing around scratching their chins.

Now if they had just turned the map around in the direction they were going...

Spring a ding ding

2010-11-02T04:17:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am skiting and unashamed of it. I cannot believe the blooms on this African Violet. It's insane.

Jealous?

Too bad.

I killed the other 2 though.

*as she sinks and hides under the desk*

The Bougi is in full

flight at the moment. Oh

it's so nice.

Has to be a female that invented this (meaning Mother Nature), as it has gorgeous attractive intoxicating flowers b

ut if you get too smart, whammo, cut you to bits with those

thorns while smiling at

you! Mmmm, I think I know a few women like that. Present company excluded of course. Tut tut. *smiley face here, with lipstick, of course*

New additions...

The 'small but adequate for the moment' Herb garden is doing well. Chillis, Mint (in the pot, NEVER ever in the ground please, she's the wild party girl of the Herb world, never let her loose) Lemon Balm, Lemon Basil, Coriander, Radishes, Silver Beet, Chives, Marigolds, Asian greens, Parsley and Bell Chillies. There's still a bit of room, so I WILL be adding, and then when I extend the garden space, well...the mind boggles...

Still plan on the Spice Garden in the corner, I just have to get around to getting it done.

I also have the front garden to do yet. *insert shocked face here*

Yes I have a brom (Bromeliads) addiction. So what of it?

Like my new orange basket? Yes I can see you are nodding furiously. I knew you would. Please also pay careful attention to the exquisite Masdevallia 'Rubicon' orchid nodding with grace (just imagine the Queen's wave) in the background there. I haven't managed to kill it yet.

Settled in...

2010-11-02T04:08:00.001-07:00

Just some puppy pics...seems we have moved into a very big dog house.

Snags alive

2010-10-06T04:09:00.000-07:00

Yes well, the hot damn barbie has arrived. Well half of it anyway.

Nice huh?

We had a great Grand Final sausage sizzle on it and there were no complaints to be heard.

Of course it could also be said that some pretty scrumptious salads were served up as well (courtesy of our delightful guests) as great company and atmosphere.

The other half of the barbie, being the wok burner was

(you guessed it, story of my life) - Out Of Stock.

Maybe someone should start a line of stores called "Out of Stock", it would be a hit. Especially if they actually weren't out of stock. Gee now that would be a novel idea huh?

Ok so as you know, if you stand still long enough in my backyard I will dig you up and plant something in your spot.

So I found a spot that I COULD actually dig up and have started a Herb/Vege garden.

Was going to get one of those colourbond above ground garden contraptions but hey, this was free. Good old Mother Earth. It is teaming with wormies, fabulous. So while S was not looking I snuck this herb garden in. I intend to "extend" it and get rid of the red wash tub to allow for more room.

This cutey pie plant above is Dianthus barbatus 'Green Trick'

I love it. I bought it at the ABC Gardening Show. Very different. These are my first 2 flowers.

(I can hear you saying, "Cute? CUTE?? how in the world is THAT cute?". Yes well as I said I can HEAR you saying that, so SSHH!)

Just a few piccies

2010-09-19T23:40:00.001-07:00

Still loving the Oboe d'amore by the way. *smiley face here*

This is my Cardamom plant that is growing lovely indoors. *shock*

When I brush past it it gives off it's Herby Asian scent. It reminds me of my Nan's kitchen.

This is Miss C's new wall decal. She loves it

and it really matches well with the other red accents in her room.

These are my 2 purchases from the school Spring Fair. Well what? It WAS for the school afdter all, I couldn't let them down could I? Well?

Kissin' dirt

2010-09-19T04:30:00.000-07:00

Hey! who turned out the lights?

Guess I should have filled that hole.

Oh yeah...so cool. SO cool.

Oboe... Oboe... I thought it was a musical instrument?

2010-09-19T03:57:00.000-07:00

Oboe d'amore. Paint colour. Who on earth names these paint colours and more importantly how much do they get paid? Are they on drugs when they think of them? Do they all sit around and drink martinis to excess at the local cocktail bar and then laugh themselves stupid over the names they choose. I bet they do. They must get such a hoot out of naming a paint and imagining people like you and me rocking up to the paint counter to ask for a tin of paint that we can't even pronounce the name of. Can you imagine a big burly painter man with an accent from the other side of the world, asking for a 6 litre tin of "obowee dee amorree" pwittty pwease?

I am sure these paint naming people get a laugh at out expense when they pick these names.

Oh choosing paint colours. It's a shocker. You can go round and round in circles, tie yourself up in knots with colour charts and literally invest a years salary in sample pots. That's ok though. It has to be just right. Not 'nearly' right or 'it'll do' or 'not quite what I expected', or 'it'll lighten/darken up', not even 'Mmmm, they must have mixed it wrong...' or ' Gee it looks different to the colour chart, maybe it's the light?' Yes there are a million responses, but really it's because it's just not the right colour. You know it's the right colour when you go, YEP! that's it.

Anyway it looks great. Can't wait to get some green foliage in front of it. Whoop whooop!

Go on have a listen

2010-08-27T03:25:00.001-07:00

You know you want to. You can dance, I can't see you.
Put your handbags in the middle and dance around them. (Why did we do that? To keep us from straying all around the dancefloor. I guess so nobody knicked them?)
The video is a laugh in itself.....click on the triangle on the screen and crank up the volume.
(Don't put your back out!)

Yes you can thank me later for showing you the Kareoke version, just in case, yes just in case you would like to sing along and are too young to know the words or too old to remember them...bahaha.

Funky town (music video) lyrics

2010-08-27T03:22:00.000-07:00

Funky town

2010-08-27T02:11:00.001-07:00

Well here it is FINALLY, the DD (dear daughter) has chosen a light! Hallelujah! My o my.
(Not a bad choice either I might say with a slight* snicker snicker *).
That reflection extends over the whole room - VERY funkytown...very.
Won't you take me to aaahhh afunkytown..won't you take to ahh funkytown. Oops, I digress.

Managed to get the "non living" room into a "living" room of some sorts anyway.
Not my ideal room but still has a nice feel to it. The old leather lounge has been abandoned here and it seemed so forlorn by itself. I ended up dragging the "to be ebay'ed" cabinet BACK inside (can you believe it she says screaming and hands in the air, BACK inside) and I tell you what, it doesn't look too bad. (If I may say so myself) . Of course, real blinds would be nice. A rug would define the area and some wall art would be just delightful. Will take a pic with the blinds up, so much better but passersby can see straight in. *shocked straight staring face inserted here*

By the way the cushions say "Relax" and give a definition of the word. I saw DD with her feet up totally obeying the instructions. Let's insert another *scream* here shall we?

Feast your eyes on these brom babies. Don't look too long or I may have to charge you for your viewing pleasure.

Been playing in the garden, just a bit.

Lalalalalalalala.....

Yes DD was in one of those very PURPLE T shirts singing her little lungs out...it was a truly wonderful experince. SO very professional, and the orchestra were exquisite. Oh, and that conductor, well, if there was no choir and orchestra he would have had us all spell bound anyway.
He had 750+ children sit and stand in SILENCE at the single wave of a hand. Magical. More than a conductor, he was a magician. (and a great dancer, hehehe). The music flowed through his fingertips to the children, don't know how. As I said, a Magician. You can always tell someone's passion, it's within them, but it glows on the outside for all to see.
If you click on the photo you will see DD in the first row of the top centre section. First row, 8th from the left...

A little bit of a wind problem

2010-08-03T04:12:00.000-07:00

Click on photo to enlarge.
Mmmm, well we had a bit of a wind problem last night. No not that kind of wind *rolling eyes here*. Goodness me if you had a gust of 110km's coming out your bottom it would be more than a little bit of a problem I would think? Oh, gee let's not even go there.
No, it seems that there was a gusty low pressure system and boy oh boy did we cop it. We are all bleary eyed today after only a few hours sleep due to the noise and worry of what was happening outside. I somehow neglected to take a photo of our big netted trampoline that ended up doing a pirouette across the backyard but luckily didn't manage to execute the leap over the back fence. Needless to say a 2am look out the window found it up ended and in the arms of the Murraya hedge along the back fence. Knew I had good reason to plant that hedge 12 years ago.
It is a little "bent" now, but still functions. Guess it's life as a ballerina was short. A few plants went to the Garden in the sky as well. Damn.
It was a good test for the new house and it survived. Hip hip hooray. Also a good test for the Privacy Screen, and it seems it didn't move a bit.

Ok, so I have just take a few snaps of things that made me look twice this week.

I just love the way the sun shines through the white blinds in the morning it joins the palm and the Chocolate pot for a group hug. I love this corner. Weird I know.

I was also taken smitten by the way these pink uggs and the chocolate tones went together. I seem to be liking that PINK a bit. Would love to use it as an accent colour in one of the spare rooms maybe. When the sun shines on the Cyclamen in the mornings it almost glows.
Hence the colour Cyclamen Pink.

That's all the trivia for today. Had my little dose of chit chat, and a feeling the lack of ZZZ's from lastt nights whirlwind. A PINK goodnight to you.

A message to start and finish the day with

2010-07-24T21:37:00.000-07:00

We just applied this wall deckle to Miss T's bedroom wall. Whilst it is on the wall with the light switch it will be the last thing at night she sees and the first thing in the morning as she leaves the room. So therefore, after the first 3 times of reading it, she will ignore it totally. *rolling eyes here*. That wall was the best choice as it fit really well there and it is a wall that will not be needed for painting, posters, photo frames etc.

Liking the Oboe D'Amore

2010-07-24T01:17:00.000-07:00

It's the last one in the block here ^^^. Oboe D'Ámore, Get used to it.

I think that's the colour for the M5 Sound Barrier PRIVACY screen.

You like?

It's actually not quite as dark in the sample pot but the paint guy says it will darken up when it's on (bit like fake tan huh?, you look like a warm fresh baked cookie when you leave the tanning salon and end up looking like a shrivelled up Mandarin by the time you get home *stunned face inserted here*). Yes so, we need to get whatever it is we need to get to apply the undercoat so we can get this Oboe D'Ámore in it's rightful place. A lot of it can be seen from inside the house, via the kitchen area, so it has to be a colour that is nice to live with. It's not so Grey in real life, seems to throw a bit of Purple at you but not really, ifyaknowwhatImean?

From Kindy to kids

2010-07-18T03:32:00.000-07:00

A bit of light relief. What does this have to do with building or construction, I hear you say?
A lot really. It takes a long time to build a person. You never have a set of plans to go by and goodness knows nothing ever goes to plan anyway. You are always changing, the frames move and settle, the exterior weathers a bit and needs a reno every now and then. The outlook is revised, the forecast is adjusted. The landscaping changes with the seasons and the fashions. The environmental influences have their impact, the materials sourced give good foundations, the suppliers are invaluable. People, dwellings for souls.
Here we are 4o years later, looking damn good I might add. I dare you to disagree.
We have been through Primary and High School together and now on the other side of the city from where we started. We have made it this far and I dare say this deserves a big round of applause. *and a Mexican Wave if you feel so inclined*.
We take a bow and say, Thank You.

PEG ALERT

2010-07-18T03:20:00.000-07:00

Well, a special post for my Homeone forum buddy bel.

They have a PEG! Yes a real ridgey didgey peg! AND.... a digger to go with it.They have been waiting what seems to be forever and this moment of commencement deserves a SCREAMING MENTION!!!

Conpegulations!

Frangiloo

2010-07-12T01:59:00.000-07:00

Well since this room seems to be used quite frequently we have decided to add some artwork. Now no disrespect to the artist, who probably did not ever envisage her newly created design ending up in someones loo. I actually really love the design particularly for the colours. It's lovely. It's very "me". As you can see it's not on the wall yet. It is wood mounted and quite a bit heavier than I had anticipated so we will need a 5kg, removable hook I think. Oh damn, that means a trip to Bunnings (she says secretly clapping her hands together under the desk). Maybe I can coerce Miss T to choose a light shade while we are there, ANY light shade will do.

Stupid Stuuls

2010-07-10T19:22:00.000-07:00

Well they suit the kitchen. They do remind me of the dark teaky type furniture of Asia, so I guess that's a plus.

The driver stayed and watched unwrap them so as to bear witness that we didn't damage them and whatever damage we found would have been exsisting. They were marginally better than the last lot. Still not the best quality but we are over it and decided to just keep them. Suppose we could have got these....hehehe

One thing I will say about our stools is that they are really comfy. Just like a dining chair. Bit of a rip off for the kids though, no spinning, so swinging, no rocking, no head cracking falls from unsteady bases, they just sit firmly and squarely on the ground. Thank goodness. I couldn't stand all the dramas and continual "stop spinning on those bl**dy stools or you'll throw up!"

Yep, cheaper than a carnival, but you are responsible for the vomit. Uh uh, best to be sturdy and safe. Vomit free. Vertigo maybe from the height but no spinning.

We have eaten dinner there a few times now and it works well. We don't have a table and chairs in that room yet so they do the job. Only thing is the kids have to watch the TV (of course dinner always seems to be ready on queue with the start of The Simpsons), in the reflection of the kitchen window. Lucky we decided to make that window larger!

Still haven't painted the M5 sound barrier. Still not sure which colour. I am now thinking that it might be a good idea to leave the post tops and maybe get some bamboo to put along the top as a finish, and attach it to the posts. Will investigate that avenue. Mmmm, what else? That's it for the moment. Still want THAT buffet (few pages back...), will try to save up for it, but HAVE to have the Hall table to match. Miss T needs a desk in her room and some drawers. I wish she would pick a light that she likes but she seems content with the bulb, so guess it's not a priority for her or like me she has no valid interest in light fixtures. Still have heaps of boxes to unpack, ho hum. One man (or should I say woman?) team of unpackers for that job.

standing by to sit

2010-07-01T21:22:00.000-07:00

We are on STOOL STANDBY.
Awaiting clearance to SIT.
Estimated time of arrival inbound stools x 4 between 1600 and 1700 EST on Friday 2nd July. Standby to sit...chhhhhht over...

Breaking the sound barrier

2010-06-30T22:34:00.001-07:00

This is a pic of our very frosty Sir Walter. We are so spoilt and not used to frost at all, so we were quite shocked when this greeted us the other morning. Needless to say all the Bromeliads were quickly covered with beach towels (to encourage sweete dreams of sunnier times) the next evening to keep Mr J. Frost at bay.

As you can see Miss C has tried her hand at Interior Design. She much preferred the teddy's in here than where they SHOULD BE in HER room.

No it's not staying blue. Which leaves the question, which colour to paint it? Well by now you will know that my personal standard answer would CHOCOLATE. Although the mind boggles dosn't it?
Perhaps PURPLE, or maybe PINK, how about AQUA? Mmmm....sounds like a packet of M and M's. *insert laughing face here*. The post tops will be cut off, but I want to see how much some bamboo capping would cost., although I think we have spent enough on this stupid dumb thing already. Lucky S is handy with a hammer isn't it. Saved us entertainment unit's worth of dollars in labour.

Yes, well it looks like the sound barrier for the M5 don't ya' think? That could have been the new buffet we wanted. Instead it was spent on this visual nightmare. Not even a tiny offer of assistance from those "on the other side". Very dissapointing. With a capital "D".
So the stool saga continues, yes it does, I can hear you sigh. As it stand now, since we have contacted the Dept. of Fair Trading, the store will visually check themselves, 4 new stools tomorrow and they will be delivered to us and the old ones taken away. I am praying that they are up to standard. Please 'God In Charge of Stools', make these stools perfect. PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE. I know that you are all saying the same thing so that you don't have to read another chapter of it all...

I have started to rearrange the garden out the back. Well basically I pulled out most of what I had planted and moved it. That's what gardening is isn't it? The plant Macarena. You just line them all up, plant them and then move them around until they are back where they were originally. ahhhhh ....Macarena....hey!

Longer than War and Peace

2010-06-18T21:32:00.000-07:00

This stupid bar stool sory has gone on longer than War and Peace. The book War and Peace was way more riveting than this, even when used as a door stopper.

So where are we at? uummm well first of all, how cool is the new background. I love it. Bamboo!! Woohoo!!

Yes well, the 2nd set of stools were a no - show. Driver didn't call, we stayed at home all day waiting with anticipation, kids clawing at the bench wanting a stool to perch on... NUP. NUDDA. NOTHING.

Rang the shop. Told them we are over it. Not playing this stupid game any more. Full time whistle blows....drrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. SIN BIN, red card, all over red rover.
Called the store, too bad, not getting your money back, they say. Lovely isn't it? Such delightful customer service. How can we expect the kids at Maccas to get it right when the adults show such disdain and ignorance?
They told us that they have the right to replace or repair. Well apparently the Dept. of Fair Trading tells us there is another "R" there and it stands for...you guessed it - REFUND. Yes the ACT says REPLACE, REPAIR OR REFUND. How convenient to not remember that one?
We can make a formal complaint online, but will pursue it with the store on Monday. If there is yet again no joy then let the Online complaints begin....ooh let me at it.
Meanwhile we cannot buy any other stools because we need to get the money back first and we cannot use the ones we have because they need to go back.
We have bought the timber posts and the blueboard for the PRIVACY (screaming as loud as I can) screen. It will hopefully begin next week. Thinking it migt be nice painted Cuban Coffee, mmm , even the name conjours up warmth and luxury huh? (and I don't even drink coffee) , but I can almost SMELL that colour (goes along with 'hearing' colour a few posts back, as you would know becasue you diligently read every letter I write, don't you??? *snicker snicker* Ifyou can't remember that bit you had better REVISE, quick smart *tut tut*)
Yeah, so that's about it. Enlightened a bit now are we? Do yourself a favour and play the little frog's soon on the right by clicking the triangle. Will take you back to the days of The Muppets on
Saturday nights...bit like the State of Origin The Muppets isn't it? a puppet show.

Go on I dare you

2010-06-12T02:08:00.001-07:00

Go on, go on, I dare you to ask me how are the new stools???

Warranty

2010-06-10T18:23:00.000-07:00

Well all the Warranty issues were assessed and addressed in a timely manner. Apart from the hours wasted sitting around waiting for the tradesman to turn up and the the others that turned up unexpected *scream here* If you know me you will know that I hate that.

Anyways, 4 new bar stools to make an appearance tomorrow. What a hoot. We shall see what the results are.

Have spied a lovely buffet that I WANT. I was worried about mixing the old and the new but I do like to do that if possible and I thought that the whitewash would go well with the kitchen. All my Homeone buddies and M the lovely and qualified Interior extraordinaire agree that it would look wonderful. I would like this artwork to go above it on the wall. Yes I know you may need your goggles for that one, it's a tiny picture isn't it. Of course the real one would not be that size.

Yes well the main thing is that they DO layby.
It's a shame that we need to build a privacy screen first. Divided loyalities...screen, buffet, screen, buffet, screen, buffet screen, buffet. Oh it's all so difficult isn't it?

geez

2010-06-05T02:42:00.000-07:00

Firstly I want to say Congratulations to my Homeone buddy bel, how has after many years of trials and tribulations unbeknown to us, has become the proud owner of a CC!. That would not be a coastal condominium or a cool corvette, something much better
A CONSTRUCTION CERTIFICATE!!! Yaaaayyyy go Bel!.

Now, to the not so exciting stuff.

Now it amazes me how with all things considered, the gases, the atmosphere, the tides, the gravity and all that molecular stuff, that the sun actually manages to rise and set each day without any help from us mere mortals. It's truly amazing isn't it? So in comparison, how the hell one can't buy 4 new bar stools and expect them to be delivered on time and in a new condition? Such a simple task as opposed to the earth spinning on it's axis every day unassisted. One would think?
Mmm, well the stools arrived. YES they did. Why am I not jumping out of my skin? Because they are a load of c--p. The timber is split and has been filled, the lining is coming off, the sewing threads are hanging off everywhere. I am not game to touch that thread for fear that the whole world will unravel before my eyes. So I ring the shop lady. She says I will contact the importer. The importer contacts me and says she will send 4 new stools. OK I say stupidly. Over the weekend I decide I want my money back, I don't want 4 new stools. SO I tell the importer and she takes them OFF the delivery truck. So we then tell the shop lady on Tuesday. Refund please. She says YES sure! ...but they (shop) keep 20% cancellation fees. WHAT??? What cancellation? They are in my home, nothing was cancelled? Another Homeone forum person with obviously way more intelligence than the infuriating shop lady, steers me in the direction of info from the ACC and Dept. Of Fair Trading. Mmmmm I could have something here I think *snicker snicker*.
Anyway after hearing they want to keep 20%, (they should be paying ME, for the inconvenience of the last three months, don't ya' think???) we decide that we will yet again wait for a replacement set of stools and of they are NOT PERFECT then we shall pursue this down the rocky road of rage. Am I nuts??? So we call the importer back, tell her we want the stools and she says OK but the truck has gone and you will have to....yes I can hear you all in unison, it's like an AC/DC concert... all together now and punch the air...

WAIT ANOTHER WEEK!!!!!!

I am hysterical.

Further to that last post...

2010-05-23T22:44:00.000-07:00

Yeah right...let's make it ANOTHER week shall we? Just for fun hey?

Due Warning given

2010-05-20T00:24:00.001-07:00

I am just pre warning you that I have confirmed with the store yesterday and they assure me that all is on schedule for the untimely and unfashionably and totally damn obscenely late arrival of THE bar stools tomorrow.
I think that I shall invest in a bottle of something just so I can sit on a stool at the bar and drink it.
Hope they are still in fashion...*just joking* (another scream piccie here I think!).
Perhaps by the time they arrive I will be too old and arthritic to climb up on them.

WE SHALL SEE.................

Last drinks... no bar stools

2010-05-10T21:58:00.000-07:00

Well yes that's right. ANOTHER WEEK. ANOTHER WEEK.

*screaming emoticon face here* actually....

Apparently the Bar Stools have actually put their four legs (times 4) on Australian soil, but now have to make their way to the exporter then to the store then to me. Let's hope they aren't using the same GPS that they have been using to get from China to here. OMG...SOMEBODY GIVE THEM AN ATLAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I guess I should give you some other little tidbits to keep you interested. Alright since you are pleading, a few piccies to keep you happy.

I have to say that I have really enjoyed the decorating thing. I actually LOVE it. The stumbling block has been the lighting. I hate lighting. Not the actual effect of lighting, the actual lights themselves. I cannot seem to see much that I like. I have chosen these lights for the main bedroom and if you would have asked me 6 months ago what I thought, I would have said "No Way!". I have somewhat learnt to be a bit more open minded to the light situation and now that they are up and functioning I actually do quite like them. Very funky I think. They are rattan so still keeping with the tropical thing.

The bedside lights are perfect. We did buy others, a bit cheaper and bit plainer and they just didn't "cut it" when we put them in their place. Looked terrible. So we took them back and got these ones and I am happy with them. Funny how things either look right or wrong. The RED lamp is gorgeous. I love the shiny glazed surface and the softness of the silk ribbon shade. It looks perfect being new and gloss with the old style table. Now THAT lamp was an impulse buy. Can't say that that happens very often but it was so lovely that we couldn't leave it behind
..

I have been eyeing off some silver metal fish wall art at Freeeeeedom. I know it's perfect for above the bed and I just can't seem to think of anything else unless I find or create an artwork for there. Mmmmmm....something to ponder. I have added a little red tealight (candle) holder beside the bed, in a Lotus shape as I have a white Lotus shape on the other drawers. When I placed the red on the chocolate I have to say that there was almost an audible *POP* of colour. Truly. Yeah Yeah, I can hear you say... but I am telling you I can HEAR colour. Maybe it is a metaphor for a champage cork saying WOW what a colour?*! Actually the same sound happened when my waters broke with daughter number 1...*pop*...well we won't go there....

It's true.
POP!

We have an outdoor table now. Bargain of the century for sure. Accommodates 10 bums and looks even nicer now that I have my nice shiny Lime green leaf plate in the centre. Quite tropical. It did well on Mother's Day for lunch and well worth the bargaining.

You can see that we have temporarily attended to the privacy issue.
Those blinds were from the previous house and we even used them at the rental house so they have more than returned their cost. We would still like to put a Villaboard feature wall along the fence and paint it a pretty colour with some sort of feature in front and we will do that, but later on.

I like the blinds and they do the job but they do cut down the Winter sun in the mornings and that is a big shame. I will keep them though even when the feature wall is up because in Summer they will provide a good buffer for the sun.

I have done a little on the gardens. I wil take a few pics and add them soon. The camera battery is getting a well earned recharge at the moment.
The grass is looking fabulous as well. Will add a pic of that too, just to keep you interested. *laugh laugh*

WT?

2010-05-07T02:20:00.000-07:00

ANOTHER WEEK FOR THE BAR STOOLS. NOT HAPPY JAN. SEND OUT THE SEARCH PARTY.

stock shock...

2010-05-01T04:27:00.000-07:00

SO we go to IKEAAAAAAA!! Whoot hoot!! We go to look at an entertainment unit, BUT we buy some boxes, somes powerboards, a pot plant pot, desk, basket and some side tables. Get to the checkout, which at Ikea is like the end of a 4 hour trek, and they say, oh no you have to go back and get the staff to organise that Entertainment Unit for you because there are so many parts to it. Oh no. We are Not going BACK in THERE!!! No way! We have shopped, had our meatballs and mash at the Restaurant, picked out our 'get it yourself stuff'' from the shelves and now we have used up the limit of the free parking. Oh bugger, not another trip? Another trip to get another load of stuff that you didn't go there to get in the first place. It's a bit like Bunnings. No matter what you do, you always end up with stuff you didn't go there for. It's like a homewares vortex that sucks you in as you grab for the doors at the entrance. Then once you are in there you are transported to homewares heaven. It defies all odds. Truly it does. When you escape, you stand there shaking your head and your credit card and go "What the hell just happened?, what is all this stuff and where did it come from?"
The same thing happens to me at Freedom.
*bewildered face here*
So we go to the lighting shop. Choose some bedside lamps, on sale, of course. See another lamp that we did NOT go to get and shudder as we say, OK let's get it. Then they say, "You 'll have to wait 7 days, there are none in stock." *shocked face with blank stare face inserted here*, but what about the bedside lamps? "You'll have to wait 7 days, there are none in stock" I feel another "What the...?" coming on.
So I check on how my bar stools are going, how close are they to the Australian shore from whence they are coming from? People on leaky boats seem to get here faster than my barstools.
"No, not here yet", they say, still waiting. Perhaps the Coast Guard or the Navy could accompany my barstool ship to shore please?
So I check on my lights at Freedom, no it will not be 2-3 weeks now (that time is up) it will be the end of May. What the...? Can't wait that long. I cancel the order. (Then buy cushions instead, of course. What are you looking at me like that for? Isn't that what everyone does?)
Go to another light shop, choose some more. Different ones. "Oh, you will have to wait 7 days, none in stock." What the?
to SHOP (verb- doing word for those who remember from Primary school) definition -
You go in, choose, pay, take it home, enjoy, feel elated at your purchase. Obviously not. It's... You go in, choose, pay, then wait 7 days, then another 2 weeks and in the case of bar stools wait 9 weeks, all the time FUMING. No enjoyment.

Will post pics of the bedside tables soon. Oh yes, MINUS the glass tops, none left in STOCK!
Looks like another round of Swedish meatballs and mash coming up...maybe I should just get the damn recipe.

P.P.S

2010-04-27T03:35:00.000-07:00

Oh yes, how could I forget??? LAWN LAWN LAWN. 250 sq. metres of it. Sir Walter Buffalo.

Yes 250 sq. metres, not to mention the underlay...phew. Hard work.

For SOME.

Dog in her element. We didn't even get 3 rows down before she was out there sunning herslf and rolling around. Needless to say "She's HOME", finally.

P.S.

2010-04-27T03:25:00.001-07:00

Oh yes, just in case you were wondering. I am STILL STILL STILL waiting for the bar stools. Can you believe it? They say the first week in May. GEEEZ, lucky I'm not waiting for a drink to be served with that bar stool hey?

Also still waiting for the bedroom lights from Freedom...I dribble like Homer Simpson when I say FREEEEEEDOOOMMMM dribble dribble, saw a great rug there the other day....and.....and...oh yes and have just discovered that Ikea have the side tables I want. Clap clap clap. That means......ANOTHER trip to IKEA, zippedeee dooo daaa.......*claps frantically*

aaaahhhhh

2010-04-27T02:55:00.001-07:00

aaaaahhh, nothin like a Dilmah (well maybe a Tim Tam). Hey, maybe they could use that as a slogan?

This above, may look like the space under the stairs. It is not, it is my STUDIO. Spell it so you remember it. S-T-U-D-I-O. It just so happens that my STUDIO is situated under the stairs.

It's where I make cards, scrapbook, hide from the kids and the washing basket, drink Dilmah, and indulge my passion for paper and colour. To the left of that chair is the rest of the space and some shelving that holds my ribbons and stamps etc...such a nice space. Some may say, With so many rooms, why do you need to squish under the stairs? Answer - Because I can. (after I move the Dyson out)

One can never have to many Guzmanias. Nice tropical Welcome.

Well the front garden is started at least. These should only grow 50x50 so perfect height, perfect colours, perfect look (tropical).

Barleria Purple Dazzler. So pretty! I will plant in front as well, but not yet. Got to think hard about these things you know. Rome wasn't built in a day you know, nor was this house and this blog shows.

I have actually started on the back garden, but I will show piccies when it's a bit further ahead. Don't want to spoil you all at once now do we? DO WE???

I know I know I know

2010-04-27T01:49:00.000-07:00

SO sorry, yes I have been very slack on the Blog front but I have been very busy on the HOME front. I can see you all asleep at the computer waiting patiently for another addition to salivate over. Well WAKE UP AND SMELL THE SCREEN, here it is. Lots of pics for you and a little jovial narration to get you by...sit back and enjoy the ride.

Above you will see my Rangoon Creeper. It took me forever to find one and when I did I had to shove it in the ground and hope for the best just before we left. Well, I have to say that after putting on my best Bear Grylls face (Man versus Wild SBS 835pm Monday's, do yourself a favour and watch it), I made my way through the BACKYARD *scary music here* and found it. Waving it's little stems at me, "Over here, I'm Over Here". Flourishing no less. Gorgeous.

Moving on...

Can't remember if I have posted this yet or not. This is my little collection of goodies for the drawers in the bedroom. I started off with the birdcage, then not happy had to find some other things to keep it company. Looks great I think.

Now you see her, (beautiful isn't she?). Now you don't.

She is no more. Somehow her face came in contact with the tiles. No more beauty. Not even a Michael Jackson plastic surgeon could have put that face back together...so sad. Not happy Jan. Can't find the "after" photo at the moment, will add it later.

These 2 will be the feature outside the Dining Room window. When ever that may happen....
ho hum. Nice ha? I bet you are saying What feature? , well you hust hold that thought, because you will see what I have in mind.

Now just a few more for your viewing pleasure. NO, how dare you think such a thing? ALL my plants are house trained, they never piddle... (Alternanthera "Firebug", in case you are interested, it's PINK)

Below...a real sunset through the sunset door. That little bright spot is the sun. Cool isn't it?

Tunnelled our way to McDonalds, oops China, with the garden lighting. You WILL need your sunglasses at night (remember that song? who sang that? oh that's going to drive me bonkas until I remember, damn damn damn)

DILMAH break....

Ruby and Sable...mmmmmm

2010-03-25T03:31:00.000-07:00

No words needed for this post, well maybe one...LUVIT.

Lounging around

2010-03-22T23:00:00.000-07:00

NEWSFLASH...unscheduled EARLY ( can you believe it??? ) delivery of the 2 new lounge suites. The salesman told us on the phone that the RUBY one looks fabulous, but OF COURSE I say, tell me something I DON'T know. RUBY as in red, baby...woohoo - colour, colour, oh I am in raptures over some colour. The neutral is nice but neutral can only be declared neutral if it is contrasted with colour can it not? Thursday AM delivery. You shall be blessed with pretty piccies by Thursday PM.Put you sunnies on, be warned.

To the serial lurker...

2010-03-17T02:08:00.001-07:00

Hey Bundy! *frantically waves*

Single or Double scoop?

2010-03-17T01:50:00.000-07:00

Who the hell wanted a 2 storey house? BL**DY HELL. Yes, good for the thighs, right, yes I know. At least now I have a little incentive to go up the stairs (for 67th time today) and that's to look at my lights...mmmmmm......LURVLEY...........oh now I am sounding like Homer Simpson. Ugggh. I am starting to form little piles of "stuff" at the bottom and top of the stairs to be taken up or down on the next trip. I should keep a mileage log for these stairs, better not, the Tax man wouldn't believe me.
So here is a progress pic of Miss T's room. It's fresh and fun and a great space to be in. It feels light and positive, BUT... (I am very fond of those three little dots and the dramatic pauses aren't I? and the parentheses - brackets - also),yes, as I was saying, it's looking more like a Gelato Store every day. (what are they called those Gelato places, shops? Parlour? Bar?). The rug was a bargain on ebay and it's fantastic! BUT..it's HUUUGE. Way bigger than I thought. I actually had to put a bit of it under the bed. All we need now is a bling bling cushion (in AQUA of course)for the bed, oh and a little desk, oh and a blind, oh and curtains, and .........phew, this interior stuff is exhausting.Yes, so any of you guys that are a bit thin on the scalp department, you can get a bargain rug on ebay hahahheheh *hysterically falling on the floor now, love my own jokes*

The Boy's Light Up...light up...light up...light up

2010-03-10T22:07:00.000-08:00

Yes, well if you remember that song then you are around my vintage. Yaaayyyy!!!
Here they are my funky, just got to have them, aren't they fabulous, gorgeous colour, yes definitely have to have them , stairwell lights. Good job sparkies!
A little unusual, just like me. (No that does NOT mean that you need to nod your head in agreeance.)

OH MY GOODNESS, is it MILO?

2010-03-07T18:21:00.000-08:00

Our splashback reminds me of Hot Milo...so where are the marshmallows?
LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT.

Attention...

2010-03-03T03:11:00.000-08:00

Kitchen splashback installation will be Friday at 1pm. I'm sweating on it looking good. I hope it dosn't look like a frozen dinner...bland. I don't do bland very well. At the moment I am only just coping with "neutrals", so bland will do me in entirely.

Okay Okay okay already

2010-02-21T01:45:00.000-08:00

Okay, you can all stop the Mexican Wave now, sit down, sit down...Yes Houston THE EAGLE HAS LANDED!!! We are in, we have keys, we now live here again.
Well, personally it actually feels like we are living in a swanky resort but I am quickly reminded that we are NOT because nobody comes in to magically clean and make the beds. Ripped OFF!.
Anyway, after a hurried shamozzled handover, a cheque debacle,and a few quick fixes and a few not so quick fixes we were given our keys. Zipedee doo daa...before I go any further I would like to say that our SS did a great job, although not a whole lot happened while he was on his annual holiday until the end of Jan. Eventually, the nasty ugly water tank pipe was moved around a bit, the glass kitchen cupboard doors turned up just in the nick of time, the tiler decided that he WOULD have a go at laying the tiles on the slab and we did not have to lay a levelling cement, and most things were attended to. The tiler did and excellent job, round of applause to him, clap clap clap.
We LOVE our carpet, complete with dirty muddy clay footprints from the removalists (not so much their fault I guess). I tell you I could have keeled over and sobbed like a blubbering baby. I was on "The Edge". One day old carpet and size 11 boots covered in clay, NOT a nice combination. There was even dirty sweat dripping down the sides of my leather lounges, eeeewwwww. The humidity was horrible, just horrible. Poor guys. It has to be the worst move I have ever done. I managed to remove the footprints with a dilution of Wool Wash and tears (no not really, water but well you know, there probably were a few in there.) The carpet layers were terrific as well. More applause.
So we have boxes EVERYWHERE. All I seem to do is answer the question, "Where is my...", for some reason I am meant to know where every single possession we own is secretly hidden waiting to be discovered, like a kid in a game of Hide and Seek. Now I ask you, Do I have a sign on my forehead that says INFORMATION DESK, ask all questions here? Yes I do, and it's called a frown.
So you want piccies. Well I have a few, please be reminded that we are still in the process of unpacking, organising, moving stuff around, moving it around again and then moving it where we had it in the first place. We are also trying to fill the big space we now call home with the minuscule sticks of furniture we have. Hello...echo echo echo...anybody in here?...echo echo echo...coooooeeeeeeee.
We have our driveway in progress and it's looking great. I nearly vomited when I saw it pouring out of the concrete truck the other day. It looked like a few runny baby poo nappies that I had changed some 8 years previously. "OMG" I said very loudly. "OMG!!!!" I then SCREAMED. Then I closed the temporary paper blind and said S**T hey? and walked away. It just kept on pouring out of the truck. Oh de-ja-vu, minus the nappies. Now that it has dried with the aggregate in it,*another nappy flashback, different type of aggregate though* it looks FANTASTIC!, Truly, I love it. It matches the timber front door (OH how I am in LOVE with that front door) and will match the timber deck steps at the front that we will be installing, some time this century, along with the same side gates. The colour is MUCH MUCH less vibrant when it's not wet.
Thanks to B-I-L and Ben starting us off with the downlights and can see our way through the cavernous wasteland. Steve has almost finished them now. Ok, I know, pics, I did manage to get a lovely luxurious white bathmat so it's not in the photos. (see above, what you though there was more?) It is very important that I tell you that. I have no idea why though. I shall take another shot WITH the bathmat soon just so you are not disappointed. *smiley face inserted here*.
We are waiting for the glass splashback for the kitchen, it is in Jarrah, and looks just like a Jarrah cup of coffe (with low fat milk, of course), should be another week for that to arrive.
I must say Thank you to our lovely friends that have sent best wishes, flowers, cards and gifts, so sweet, THANK YOU.
Oh and have a good look at the shine on those tiles! Gorgeous, that reflection is so great you could almost use it to put your lippy on. Who needs a mirror?

Speaking of bleedin' obvious

2010-01-29T00:34:00.000-08:00

Well, what's wrong with this picture? No it's not a trick and there is no knife set for a prize.
The toilet roll holder is so close to the cistern that there's no way in hell a toilet roll will fit on that thing. If they turn the hook around the other way, it's a slight possibility that it may squish between the shower screen and onto the hook, but I didn't have a toilet roll handy to try it out. What I can't figure out is that there is so much room on the other side of the toilet, why not put it there???
SH** hey?

What have I learnt from the building experience?

2010-01-26T23:49:00.001-08:00

Well this question was posed on HomeOne and this was my answer. I thought I would share it with the rest of you...

Well I have one week to go.
I have learnt to be manipulative, cry on queue, demand the bleedin' obvious, trade errors for other things more important and expensive, get myself so confused I want to sell the damn house the minute we get it, accept what I cannot change, produce facts from reliable sources that cannot be disputed by anyone, ask for help and advice when I need it, allow myself to BLOW UP in frustration every now and then, accept less than what I had hoped for, choose my battles, go neutral colours even though it is against every inch of my actively creative brain, accept being broke, throw my hands up and say "I don't care, I just don't care if my kitchen cupboard handles are all on the wrong way" and look like I mean it, and yell at my husband frequently (well that's par for the course anyway.)

There are others but I have also learnt to shut up when necessary. (well sort of, maybe, well sometimes, well only when really necessary, I guess)

Gotta love this building experience it's so enriching.

Waiting, waiting....tap, tap, tap

2010-01-23T14:22:00.000-08:00

Well we've been sitting around tapping our fingertips on the desk, while the grass keeps growing on the block. Tap Tap Tap... I managed to pack a few more boxes. We have one week to go before we get our hands on those shiny keys. Our SSS (Super Site Supervisor) is on a very well deserved holiday.
Meanwhile we haven't noticed too much going on at our place. We did our inspection with the SSS, so we know the list of things that need to be attended to.
We still have our Powder Room vanity here in the box sitting in the rental house, there is a saga attached to that if you care to read a few pages back.
SO when all else fails, GO SHOPPING! Miss C has a new Doona Cover for her room. She is indeed very happy. The Writer is quite happy also because it is a lovely design and not a Pony, Fairy or Cartoon Character in sight. It will fit in nicely with the rest of the house and make a beautiful and exciting splash of colour in her own new room. Now all we need to do is buy the Bunks for the doona to go on...*eyes rolling again*
There is another HUGE tile issue happening but I won't bore you with it. Needless to say that we will have to PAY (looking at the Quote and shuddering as I type) to have whatever dips that exist in the slab filled to make sure that our beautiful tiles are laid on a truly flat surface and give them the platform that they deserve. Ridiculous that we have to do that. Don't get me started...We also have the Quote for the driveway and the Colourbond Fence to replace the one that is almost down. So we need to gear ourselves up for the psychological rollercoaster of getting the keys which tells us the build is over and then opening the door to a whole heap of work before we can move in (whatever can be done after moving in WILL be). Carpet, tiles, garage floor sealed, driveway done, backyard and side levelled, fence replaced, retaining wall built with drainage etc., appliances delivered and installed, Air con box motor thingo installed, Glass splashback, clothesline bought and installed, turf laid to stop all that dirt being traipsed in, landscaping, rangehood installed, some sort of window coverings, furniture removalists (who will probably *sigh* and *uh oh* when they see us again), rental inspection and...well that's enough for now, I need to take a break I'm exhausted.
We are standing at the door with our suitcases waiting for the Starters Gun to POP...

Too funny...

2010-01-18T12:42:00.000-08:00

I borrowed this from a Homeone buddy. I'm sure they won't mind me sharing the laughter around...

We've been working hard..

2010-01-17T23:30:00.001-08:00

It's looking great isn't it?...and you thought we hadn't moved in yet!

Tiles and Tribulations

2010-01-14T01:55:00.001-08:00

Well the SS told us today that Handover is set for 1st Feb... yiippeee, but there is a stackload of work to do after we get those keys. So volunteers now is the time to earn your brownie points for sausages on the barbie. We were actually working on the 28th Jan so our time line is a little squew-if now. We have a tile problem (so what's new?). The short story is, the tiles being 60x60cms should be laid on a bed of cement,not glued. The glue for such a large tile is unreliable due to the levelness or unlevelness of the slab.(yes, I made those words up, so what? that's female building speak, just like "thingo" and "whatsy", not to mention "ugly" and "what the hell is that"??! and the ever popular "I'm telling you it's NOT straight!"). If they are laid on cement we need to take off all the painted and neatly put on skirtings on the bottom floor, then lay the cement and then the tiles, then replace the skirtings and touch up the paint. PAINFUL. Then we have the problem of the tiles being too high as it will raise the level by 3.5cms so then the problem with the carpet butting up lower than that and then the appliances will be too high probably to fit under the bench etc. Not to mention trip step hazards into and out of the tiled areas. Oh hell. SO if it is glued on the slab, there is no promise that the slab is level (most probably not) and there may be areas where they will sound hollow when you walk on them as they may not have contact with the slab. The other drama is that when we call the Tile company tomorrow to ask if we can get 45x45 tiles instead (smaller and easier to contact the slab) they will probably tell us we need to pay $500 paperwork fee and whether or not they are available is another matter. Oh hell. Did I say that already? Oh hell.
Why didn't somebody tell us this when we bought the damn tiles in the first place.??
Other than this major drama, I am very happy with the colours and the feel of the house is relaxed and lovely. When the tiles and carpets go in, it will be gorgeous.
Also need to get the garage floor sealed and the driveway done, we think we have chosen an aggregate driveway in white, browns and a dash of black. Nice. The painting of the portico was not a problem. It will be done. Also need to do the retaining wall, dig out and level the side of the block, landscaping (mine, mine, mine), plus the services to be connected, appliances delivered and fitted, along with the mini vanity for the Powder Room. We have bought it and think it will fit fine in regards to the door opening and not smashing into the vanity. It's cosy in there, hate to be locked in there with a fart for more than 3 secs, you'll be engulfed and knocked out imminently. So if you visit and we find you blacked out on the floor in the Powder Room we will KNOW that you farted. BUSTED. Fart upstairs in the REAL bathroom if you must please, then for God's sake open the window.
Yes so lot's to do. Will let you know how long the argument/phone call with the tile people goes for tomorrow. There are lots of other jobs to do after handover but i don't want to discourage you from applying as a volunteer. Oh did I tell you there are 50 downlights to be wired up? No I didn't think so...hey! come back, where are you going? no don't click on that...

Brain draining vanities

2010-01-12T01:25:00.000-08:00

OK, well you might be saying, do we have to see this picture AGAIN. BUT...it's actually been photo shopped and the other colour has been added to the front facade around the Portico, or doorway area. One of my HomeOne Forum buddies kindly did that for me. So so clever. It looks like it's been painted already dosn't it? Vundaful! hehehe (private joke sorry) Anyway, we are going to ask the painter tomorrow if he will paint it for us because I THINK it was actually in the contract to have the portico painted anyway, which we have not done. SO, I hope it will be ok.
I have asked my H1 buddies, and my real life buddies and as per usual they have all come to the party (there will be a real one soon) and they mostly all agree that it is a better look than just the upstairs in one colour and the downstairs in another colour. It sort of adds interest and drama to the entrance. Hope that's all the drama we'll ever see at the front door...not likely with 2 girls. Now if you have to go back a page or two to see how it is at the moment then you just have NOT been paying close enough attention have you? What's going on? Snap out of it, PAY ATTENTION. You could be called upon at any time to give your valued opinion and what are you going to say? Well, I had more important things to do? uh uh *she wags her pointy finger*
We also have another hiccup with the vanity basin, oh what a saga. Nearly as good as the Bold and the Beautiful. Funny how we ask for things and they say no and then we end up having to do it anyway, because basically it all works out to be a bit of damn common sense. We have been given permission to choose the vanity we wanted in the first place in our own home.Gee thanks. The vanity will be unavailable until Feb through the builder. No, we wouldn't like to wait to move out of this sweatbox rental for the sake of a bit of white ceramic with a hole in it called a sink...so off to Harvey Norman we trudge, with the very bored children. Pick a vanity/cupboard I say to the child, the brown one or the white one...well she says...I like the brown one but not with the white sink. Oh geez, what colour sink would you like dear? NO NO NO DON'T answer that. Fancy asking a kid to chose a vanity? What was I thinking? Just wanted them to have some input. I think we have one, just need some taps to go with it and a waste drain. Draining alright...indeed. Oh forgot to add we had to go BACK to HN because vanity child left her Nintendo cover and Brain Training game (obviously it's not doing the job, maybe it should be called Brain Drain, it goes in and straight out again) on top of one of the vanities. They can't go 5 minutes without electronic entertainment can they? I mean how can looking vanities for the
50th time NOT be entertaining, all that laminex, all those cupboards, oh, riveting. They are so unappreciative of the simple thing some times *eyes rolling again*.

That's it, another movement, luckily a number 1

2010-01-07T00:34:00.000-08:00

Whoever is peeing all over my new toilets seats had better STOP! This is the 3rd time. We put THREE new rolls of toilet paper (the soft, quality stuff and all), they are now gone. No idea where to. Anyway this extreme graffiti style peeing has to stop. If I catch you, you won't be peeing anyway, anytime soon...WHACK.

Rumble in the jungle

2010-01-06T01:36:00.000-08:00

Rumble in the jungle indeed. Well it feels like it anyway. A little stir in the underbrush, the palm leaves are rustling...yes there could be a way out of here, a small dot of light can be seen. We have been watching back to back episodes of Man versus Wild with Bear Grylls, former SAS guy. We KNOW we can get out of here alive. Just a little further. We were told today by our fearless leader SS, that we MAY be given the key to the magical kingdom around the
28th January. So that sounds good huh? The Real Estate agent, from the opposing tribe has actually said if we want to leave camp early that's great as the camp owners wish to resume their place at Tribal Council campfire. So we have our torches ready to hand to Jeff Probst and hopefully the game of Survivor should be nearing an end.

Now, today we have organised by drums, the carpet tribesman and tiler tribesman for the first week of Feb. We have visited the glass tribe and they have shown us a great colour Jarrah for the splashback. I love it, BUT it will have a medium metallic as one has to have *sparkle* especially after a year in the jungle. The cost was quite suprisingly good. A few stumbles have occurred with fittings but they are actually not so bad so we will accept them as is. We have noticed a bird has been in the camp as it has left it's crappola on the windows and goodness knows where else inside. eeewwwww. The new campfire will be see Sydney wide as we have 50 downlights, oh how bad. One of my HomeOne Forum buddies 'justcamping' says she will have to put her sunnies on to put the bins out...bahahahahaha, funny girl that one! They should get their keys about a week or so after us. Double immunity idols for us two. It's been great to have support in such a testing environment.

Moving on

2009-12-31T19:26:00.000-08:00

Well Happy New year wishes to you all. Thought I had better update as it seems the last time I did was 16 Dec.... We were pleasantly suprised to see someone there, putting the door handles and wardrobe handles on. It was so nice to see as we thought it would be a total ghost town for a few weeks. We have started cleaning (again, oh geez) the rental and sort of lazily preparing for the move. It's difficult to muster up some sort of enthusiasm at this time of year. The last thing you want to be doing is cleaning and packing. Not even the excitement of moving into the new house is working at the moment. I gave Miss T and Miss C a box to start packing the loose (that would be the whole room) items lying around and they looked at me as if I had 6 heads. The box is still sitting there and so is all the 'loose' stuff. I did clean some of the windows and some cupboards and the stove top. Oh I am sooooooo not looking forward to this actual move. Exhausting just thinking about it. Then the real fun begins, there will be a HEAP of work to do once we get there. Yeah well, that's enough work for today, boring I know but think I need a nap. Big night last night, New Years Eve, you know all the energy expended lighting sparklers, snapping a few pics and watching the fireworks on TV. Must have been the bubbly but I was asleep by 11pm. Old Fart. Ready for another nap now, trying to rely on the Dilmah for a second wind...well I did say Old Fart didn't I? Oh damn, the neighbours having a barbie, and it smells divine.....dream on. It's better than the smell of Windex let me tell ya'.

Kitchen View

2009-12-16T22:15:00.000-08:00

These are the Bar Stools that I would LUUURVE to get for the bench. Aren't they just so fantastic. It's a shame they are $289 each. Yes, can you believe it??? Needless to say they won't be appearing in my kitchen anytime soon.

Here is the kitchen minus the two cupboard doors that are having the GREEN tinge glass replaced. I was a bit unsure about the window being so flush with the sink at first. Now I think it will be great and act as type of a servery (servery not serve everybody) that we can pass things through as the BBQ will be directly outside that window. If people think that it will function in a somewhat similar fashion to a Bistro type setup, pay and get given food situation, they had better think again. I won't be manning that station, that's for sure, so don't get any ideas...

Oh by the way, someone pee'd all over our new toilet, not just one but TWO of the three...idiot. It had to be a bloke because they didn't even lift the seat. No, just did it all over the place. What on earth possess someone to do this in someone else's home? Miss C was horrified.

Dumber still...

2009-12-15T20:43:00.001-08:00

We are accepting the balcony. It could be worse if they try to rectify it to the original plan. I could rectify it quite easily myself with the help of a sledgehammer. Let me at it...
I truly do not care about it now. I am disappointed but it's ok, I am moving past it onto the next *uh-oh* moment. Build a bridge, or a balcony in this case, and get over it, as they say. To be fair there haven't been that many, and I have said all along that the build has gone super fast and the SS is truly fantastic. I still maintain that. There will be a site clean up this week, possibly today. We have our FUDGE, mmmmyummmmmm retaining wall bricks for the side. Thought they would go well. Will add the pavers as a path and fill in around with pea gravel in shades of browns, and a few sizes to add interest. Have found some skinny Bali Statues to put down there on the retaining wall to make a feature view from the Formal Dining window. Unfortunately, the price they want for them is not so skinny. *sob-sob*. I am still waiting for the little pair to sit on the kitchen bench. Think I will chase that up tomorrow. The sinks are in, looking nice with the Osprey Caeserstone benches. Purchased a giant fridge, big enough to be an igloo, the other day. It will be held until we move. The one we have is on it's last icecubes so hopefully it will make it. It seems to think it's an esky, not a real grown up fridge.

Scaffoldingless

2009-12-08T22:21:00.000-08:00

We are now rid of that encumbering scaffolding. It actually looks much better. The Jury is still out on the balcony issue though. Not sure if it is acceptable or not. It has been admitted that it is not correct, "a design fault", they said. The offer to correct it has been put forward. We are now wondering if it will look worse because the brick piers will be 3 courses higher than the render on the right side of the house, so this could look very out of place. We shouldn't even be IN this position of having to choose the lesser of two evils. It should have been designed properly in the first place. There is still something not right with those posts even though we have had the colour changed. Those wooden posts seem to be at odds with the industrial type railing. It's a bit like The Waltons meets The Terminator...

Fancy pants floor wastes

2009-12-03T22:18:00.000-08:00

Nice huh?

Stupid, dumb balcony.

2009-12-03T22:14:00.000-08:00

If you click on the photo's you will see them clearer.

CRANKY

2009-12-03T22:05:00.000-08:00

No, it's not blue, unlike the kitchen glass cupboards that are GREEN (for goodness sake *as she rolls her eyes YET AGAIN* I am not even going to go there, nor will I tell you that all the handles are on the cupboards in the wrong direction). There is a protective film on this door, it is frosted underneath and it had better not be green. The balcony went on today and I am furious. It's NOT what is shown on the plans, and I hate it. I don't care if you think I am being ungrateful, I'm not. I am sick of compromise, again and again, sick of just having to accept these things. We are paying for this, it's not free. It should be what we asked for. It's not. The kids think it looks like a jail, well that may just come in handy when they are 16, maybe I will keep it after all. Too cranky to type. Grrrrrrrrrr. If you buy an expensive item from the shop and it turns out not to be what you asked for what do YOU do?

Door to door

2009-11-30T23:47:00.000-08:00

Not a good photo I know, that stupid scaffolding, so inconvenient. How can I take a good photo when all that junk is in the way? Gee wiz.
Apparently the garage door is due on tomorrow, now we are really LOCKED OUT. *big sigh*.
Fooey. Think we'll need a soft door closer on this door, imagine that one one slamming at the hands of a teenage tirade? Yeah right...

Uh Oh

2009-11-25T01:31:00.000-08:00

So we are locked out. Therefore, piccies will be slowing up. I CAN tell you this...
The Kitchen cabinets are IN, look fantastic, Handles are on WRONG,
Glass in the cupboard doors, is WRONG,
Laundry cupboard is IN, looks great, Handles are WRONG,
Wardrobe doors are ON,
Architraves and Skirtings are going ON, neatest job I have ever seen, what a shame they have to paint over it,
Tilers have STARTED.
Have some fancy pants wastes for the bathrooms and laundry floor. Very spic. Also madly trying to organise the retaining wall bricks and the driveway. I think we'll just go for the plain concrete driveway in a nice colour.
It's all coming along well, very fast and expertly coordinated, thanks SS!

OVER IT.

2009-11-20T01:42:00.001-08:00

I am melting here at the keyboard. Cranky, sweaty, so over the carpet issue. Here's the third sample. It's a mushroom colour, it's really nice. The photo is not at all an indicator of what it looks like in real life. Can't type. Too hot. The Rexona is not even coping today. No insulation, no aircon, no breeze, no fan, OH....enough!

Mmmmmm....the strain of it all.

2009-11-18T00:13:00.001-08:00

Yes, well we have now moved on to a darker shade and a different texture. This will still leave footmarks, but not so bad. Geez this is tricky business this carpet choosing thing. I really do love the colour but it is quite a contrast to the tile but this is neither a good nor bad thing. It's a personal choice. It will look lovely in the Theatre room. Only thing is that if I have chocolate furniture on this carpet will it be too much? Probably. Then again, who on earth complains about too much chocolate??? Not me. Only when I get hives, which did happen as a kid when I ate too much. Oh yes and the kidlets get constipated from too much choccie. Easter is one big strain. Maybe some of you are now having a revelation now that you have that bit of information. " Oooh that's what happened!". So don't reach for the Punes, just don't reach for the chocolate. Not sure which one is more difficult. SO will I break out in hives in my own house or will the kids be permenantly constipated if we get this damn carpet? Will the kilojoules pile on with out us even knowing? Oh the horror of it all...

Carpet Capers

2009-11-14T19:06:00.000-08:00

Yeah well, it wasn't as easy as we thought it would be. We went to order the one that we had chosen and came home with 6 other samples and didn't order anything. What on earth happened there? We even saw friends of ours (thank you Sue, Steve and Maddie) and they helped us choose but we still ended up with nothing. I thought the sales people were meant to talk you INTO buying not OUT of it. Weird. So, as I type we have six carpet samples of varying colour, style, twist, loop, plush, pedigree, names, shades, heritage, you name it all laid out in the rental house, trying to work out whether the footsteps left behind in the pile will do my head in or not. If you know me you know it probably will. There is no way in hell that I have time to get the Dyson out 3 times a day just to keep the footprints off the carpet. No way. OMG! I mean how ironic is it that you get carpet to WALK on and then you hate it when the footprints remain behind? Then there's the damn colour! Oh, don't get me started. (as she feins a faint). Go neutral I say to keep it simple, well how many shades of neutral are there? I geez, I need a cup of Dilmah. TWO.

2800lbs of Rhino = 107 toddlers

2009-11-12T22:19:00.000-08:00

Yes, well we think that if 2800lbs of Rhino can't destroy the carpet then I guess we have a chance. Apparently we may be in our house by end of January. WooHoo.

So we thought we had better get a roll on and look for some carpet. I quite like this stuff the 1Q150 carpet. They put a Rhino on the carpet and the the carpet won! They even poured bleach on it and left it for 4 hours, nothing happened. Mmmm, that's gotta be worth investigating.

We like the colour Fallen Timber, neutral again. BORING, but well you know, I can splash the colour around in other ways, literally vecause it won't stain the carpet, hahaha. Wow, I can even see a little light at the end of the tunnel now. We have a Council clean up this weekend so everything that needs to go out is going out. I just have to stop the kids from bring the damn stuff back in again.

Feel free to stair

2009-11-10T22:17:00.000-08:00

Yes, stare at the stairs as much as you want. They are a thing of beauty aren't they? We think they are a much better choice than that ladder. A bit more 'aesthetically pleasing' and much easier when you're rushing for school in the morning? Stairway to what you may ask? MORE CLEANING of course!! Imagine how much weight I can lose running up and down those stairs. I won't even have to leave the house! Brilliant. Now that Miss T and Miss C have fallen down the stairs in a few display homes, now they can do it on their very OWN set of stairs, how exciting, how cool! Practice makes perfect so they should be very good at it.

Halfway down the stairs is a stair where I sit
There isn't any other stair quite like it
I'm not at the bottom, I'm not at the top.
So this is the stair where I always stop
Halfway up the stairs isn't up and isn't down
It isn't in the Nursery , it isn't in the town
And all sorts of funny thoughts run round my head
It isn't really anywhere, it's somewhere else instead
Hakfway down the stairs is a stair where I sit
There isn't any other stair quite like it
I'm not at the bottom, I'm not at the top
So this is the stair that I always stop.
- Written by A.A. Milne and sung by Robin the frog on the Muppet Show.
If you would like to hear it and see it sung here's the link:
(Just double click on it and it will take you straight there)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPhuafy0G3I

or click on the triangle on the youtube screen top left of this blog.

If I see anyone sitting on the stairs singing some dumb song while I am cleaning that house they had better watch out! If it's a frog....squish.....little boots fall heavy.

DOSN'T THIS FROG HAVE ANY CHORES TO DO????

Gyprock checked by Pop the Gyprock rocker.

2009-11-09T02:13:00.001-08:00

Yeah say that 10 times fast...Thumbs up from Pop the Gyprock extraordinnaire and his lovely wife. Very good job, they said. I would agree. It's all looking good now so I promised you a picture here it is. I have chosen only one, I know, don't be upset, it's ok. Truly though, seen one gyprock wall, seen 'em all. Apparently we are getting stairs this week, so that will be a nice photo won't it? Just a short blurb tonight, I'm hooked on that stupid, stupid Twilight series and I am almost finished Book 4. Stupid, stupid. Can't help myself. Off to read...Vampires, Werewolves? I mean, really? Tut tut. I mean Count Dracula never EVER looked as good as Edward did he?

ROCKIN AND INSULATED

2009-11-04T19:32:00.001-08:00

No that is not our house, No, we have not moved in, and NO there are no sausages on the barbie just yet. *rolls her eyes again*

This pic is one that I found from some display home site. I love the colours in this room. Perhaps I am not so in love with the grey tone walls, I think I would prefer a taupey colour. Anyway, just thought I would share that with you. I ADORE that blind, how fabulous is it?

We are at this moment being insulated and gyprocked. YES, I will post photos, I know that you are all dribbling and banging your fists on the keyboard saying "We want to SEE the gyprock", I can understand, it's so, so, so.......riveting? Keep your eyes plastered to the screen for photos. Well it sort of is really, because it makes the rooms into rooms, real rooms, you know the type....good for door slamming and poster sticking with bluetack (NOT) and for disowning siblings etc... I will have to ask POP the gyprocker-rocker extraordinaire to cast his skilfull eye over the tradies work when it is completed. I would say that he would be impressed. We also have insulation, so when the screaming and the foot stamping and door slamming starts we shall be somewhat insulated from the (Pre) Teenage Mutant Ninja Girls and and (Pre) Teenage Mutant Ninja Girls' MOTHER, firestorm. It can be wild. Yeehaaa, bring it on baby.

Goodbyween

2009-11-03T00:19:00.000-08:00

mmmm even though Halloween is traditionally American, I would consider that this PUMPKIN picture above and to the right displays behaviour somewhat resembling typical Aussie Blokes?

Hey who's the SCROOGE??

2009-11-03T00:00:00.001-08:00

What has happened to my Christmas Tree?? It has dissapeared. What the...? I have tried to replace it but it won't reappear for some reason. I have had a request to remove the cutesy animals, so I have but only until I find something CUTER!! All just for you Bundy... ;.)

Also a request for more pics. This request shall be fulfilled shortly. I assume it's for pics of the house though? I have added one I took of my Agave the other day, will that suffice?

2009-10-31T01:19:00.000-07:00

Well, it really is moving along fast (like that damn Xmas tree countdown on this page, it's GOT to be rigged, it goes too fast I'm sure).We have Air Con and an Alarm system now.The Al Fresco (Barbie area) has a full roof and just waiting for the ceiling lining. It's all set up for the TV and Mozzie Zapper and the Chrissie lights for 2010! The electricals have been done and the waterproofing for the wet rooms is done. The way the water gets splashed around in our bathrooms they may as well just leave it like that! Nice blue isn't it? It matches the Port a Poo out the front. The next inspection should be done on Monday and then they will start the walls inside! Zippity doo dah! The staircase shouldn't be far behind that. I am really happy about that as I could not imaginebeing a very happy chappy if I had to drag baskets of washing up and down that stupid ladder. Maybe the week after next? They are prediciting rain for the latter half of the week, although the work to be done now is inside so I guess it should be ok. We are half way through the build time and it's looking great. We are very happy with the speed of the actual build, it's been great. Ok well, until next time...

Garden doodling

2009-10-24T22:02:00.001-07:00

It's been raining here today so I was doodling a garden plan. Lots of colour and tropical lush. It seems a long way off and it will be a lot of work, but hopefully it won't be too long. My fingers are getting itchy...to get into that soil...(no it's not old age, if you click on it you will see it better)

Officially dragging.

2009-10-24T00:04:00.000-07:00

Well I am not sure if it's because the end of the year is near, or maybe it's the fast rate of countdown by the Christmas Tree to the right, but the build is officially starting to drag......for me anyway. The A/F roof is almost but not quite finished because they ran out of roof tiles. *I politely roll my eyes*. I guess it would be hard to estimate the amount wouldn't it? No to worry, we hope to have the alarm/aircon and electrical this week. It's sort of weird to look at it and see it almost finished on the outside and not feel like it's finished on the inside as well. I have settled a bit re the colours. They seem to look so much nicer in the sunshine (what dosn't?), so I am sure it will be fine when the door goes on and the garage door will make a big difference I think. It sure is a Roller coaster ride this building business. I can't wait to get out of this rental property. I have not had a good nights sleep since we got here. I am not a no sleep person. Not happy Jan.

Cooking with gas...almost

2009-10-20T02:35:00.000-07:00

Well today they put the rooftrusses up for the Alfresco. (very posh name isn't it? ''Barbie area'" to the rest of us). It is a common roof for the Alfresco and the kitchen so we will be happy when the tiles go on this week so the rain won't get in anywhere anymore. (aaawww no pool in the kitchen now, bugger)

cik-cak (pronounced chi-cha, well sort of)

2009-10-16T21:21:00.000-07:00

My grandparents told me that if you put one over the front door it is supposed to bring in the money. mmmmmm they didn't say how long I had to wait for that to happen though. Still waiting...

I am rather partial to a cik-cak. Actually I love them. I found another one today so I bought him home. I have one, a bigger one already but he will be inside, this one is for outside and I may even get another to match. Not sure yet. I know you are dying to see him so here's a pic for you. He dosn't actually look that cute in that photo, but he is believe me.

Colouring between the lines...

2009-10-14T20:05:00.000-07:00

Well here is the first coat of paint. I am not going to get to settled with the look at the moment because I know that when the second coat is done, railings go on, the garage door is on and the scaffolding is removed, not to mention the driveway and landscaping, all these things will add and subtract to the overall final appearance. At the moment I am not so happy with the window colour (the bottom window in the pic has black tape over it). I am also not so crash hot with the black balcony posts. The chrome or stainless was way out of our price range, so that was unfortunate. Anyway, I can say that I really love the render and cladding colours. I think they are a bit different but still nice. The garage will be the same colour as the render so that will create a simple seamless look across the bottom. I think when we add the exterior lights and little things, it will tie it all together.
Well I am hoping so anyway...

Render Bender

2009-10-12T18:16:00.001-07:00

Well, here we have RENDER. Looks ok huh? Of course it's naked, no paint, so when suitably coutured with the fashionable Paperbark paint, the look will be different. It changes all the time and we are never quite sure what the 'look' will be each time we stalk our own property. So far so good, bad luck if it isn't hey?

I will remind you dedicated viewers that if you *click* on the above photo, you will have the amazing opportunity to study it in closer detail. This goes for all the photographic records on this blog. I know how you are all sticklers for details, wouldn't want you miss a thing.

Unfortunatley for some, there are no shirtless tradies in this shot.

Would also like to mention that ''jc'' my H1 pacing buddy's house, is looking just lovely.

Orchids

2009-10-12T02:30:00.000-07:00

A change of pace, these are the two little Orchids I bought from the Show the other day.

(With the new house in mind of course). Please be sure to comment on them at the House Warming party, it will earn you brownie points from the hostess...

Clad things are going so well.

2009-10-08T14:03:00.000-07:00

Well, it all seems to be moving along quite well. We now actually have cladding almost all the way around the house and the Balcony posts are installed. It's sort of turning out quite different to what I had in my mind. ST says that it is how he thought it WOULD be. I find the size dimensions of things to be different. I think it's because the picture of it that we doctored on the computer originally is sort of etched in my mind. That picture has been on the fridge for a long, long time now so I have had plenty of time to memorise it. Now the reality seems somewhat different to me. Perhsaps it's a girl things, like with maps you know, how we have to turn them to see things in perspective? With every phase though it seems to change. I imagined the Front portico area to be bigger. HATE that word - Portico, what the hell is a Portico? sounds like some sort of portable bathroom or something. Well it's not portable is it? It's an entranceway, a doorway, a place to dump a thousand pair of shoes, a place to leave the those canvassers knocking while we watch and laugh, a place to scream out "Could someone let me, in I forgot my key?", it is in no way Portable as the name may slightly suggest. Dumb.

The fence between the neighbour and us is looking decidedly dodgy, so I think a timely star spike or two should keep it intact for the time being. Don't want to make the neighbours unhappy. I guess the 91 km winds that we had for a few days would have helped.

When I look at that picture above it seems to resemble one of those Techno monster things that unfold into a whole new monster. Gee that would be useful when disciplining kids wouldn't it? MMMM, we better do our homework, coz we don't wanna' see what monster mum will turn into next....well it may not work with boys, that would probably just amuse them. Girls would just want you to be a different colour, like pink or purple.

I am looking at some type of frosting for the window at the side, what do you think of this? I quite like it. It's peel off (with hairdryer) and lasts 7 years. It also lets in 90% daylight. Not too expensive, mmmmmmm.

Post by Miss C. All on her own.

2009-10-06T01:51:00.000-07:00

Well today I am going to talk about the house. I can't make up my mind what room I want, but who cares at least it's upstairs. HA HA to my step brother because his room is downstairs. My sister's is next to mum and dads room which is upstairs. My step sister dosen't mind what room she has. It's good we have a roof. I am hoping that I can have my 9th birthday in the new house. I really hope I can. That's all for now. Cookie says that our house looks like it's on steroids. Miss C.

Take it Eavey

2009-10-06T01:24:00.000-07:00

Well the weather has been horrid hasn't it? Not happy building weather at all. Today we have eaves, and they are so gorgeous, all straight and flat and tidy. Speaking of neat and tidy, the corners of the bricks are ready for the render. They do look very sharp indeed. *wolf whistle*. Oh, and some of the cladding is there too. We have been wondering when that would happen.

Apparently a truck carrying a load of someone ELSES frames *sigh of relief, phew* came a cropper as the driver got them snagged on the power lines near us. DOH. Luckily the frames were not damaged. Bugger the power lines, they'll get double dollars to fix them anyway. *snicker snicker*

We almost had a swimming pool as a late addition as the kitchen was lapping with water after the drenching we had today. Wild wasn't it? So much for the roof that became the subject of my editorial and creative piece of poetry. DUD.

I WANT these Bali doors, what do you think. Thanks W for the pic and bringing them to my attention, your brother says, YEAH thanks a LOT mate, $$$$$$$$. I'd like to use them as a screen feature to block the view from the Study to next door's bathroom. They'd be nice with foliage beside them and it would make it seem like the actually do lead somewhere. Got to be better than the Colorbond fence. By the way the date at the top is carved and it says 1957. Whoah...Oh well, dream on baby.

RAIN? who cares? NOT US!

2009-10-02T04:22:00.000-07:00

It's raining, it's pouring
It's all so boring
We don't care
We're quite aloof
The timber is dry
Because we have a ROOF!

Venting, poooeeeeyyyy.

2009-09-30T18:34:00.000-07:00

Well the whirlygigs were put in today and the external vent for the Powder room. The vent is a MUST HAVE. Even though I have done the Senior First Aid Course, I couldn't stand having to resuscitate all my guests when they visit the Powder Room AFTER certain family members, who shall not be named to avoid worldwide embrassment. It's shocking. Trust me. I know. The vent pipe travels across to the other side of the house to dispell the smell via the external wall. I guess that the poor neighbour on that side will NEVER open their windows on that side again. OOOPS. If you see this vent - RUN, it could explode...

Going through the roof!

2009-09-28T23:37:00.000-07:00

What's that on the roof? Is it a bird, is it a plane , no it's super tiler

TILES, wooohoooooo.

Yes we almost have a roof. Should be finished this week. Bet the tiler wouldn't appreciate me sharing this shot of his butt on the internet, haha. When questioned as to why the mortar isn't black like the tiles, he replied that they use a different system and the colour will be done later.

OK. We trust in those who climb the roof...

The Writing on the wall

2009-09-24T04:12:00.000-07:00

Nothing happening on the site today or yesterday. Bugger.

Think I would like to get a few of these for the walls. Reckon I can talk the man with the credit card into in?

I think it's great.

Speaking of on fire...

2009-09-23T03:36:00.000-07:00

They delivered the roof tiles today, I thought they had brought the wrong ones, we ordered black, these were terracotta...oh it's the DUST!!!

This is what we woke up to this morning. We made it half way to Homebush Stadium for the South Eastern Regional Carnival for Miss T to compete, (asthma puffer in hand, think we all needed a hit today), and found out via the radio that it was cancelled, well of course it WAS. As I always say we need Ray Hadley on 2GB to tell us so, because if Ray dosn't tell us, then it JUST ISN'T SO!

Brickies on FIRE!

2009-09-19T03:56:00.000-07:00

Well the brickies have done a great job. They were rewarded with a case of ginger beer, without the ginger (wink wink) They were happy chappies indeed. There is one broken window upstairs *oops*. Well the weather has been gorgeous hasn't it? My fingers were itching to get into that warm soil so I have been tinkering in the rental garden a little. Well, I have to have some practise for the real deal don't I? Not spending too much, but popping in a Chilli plant here and there won't hurt. Sorry I digress...Anyway, apparently next week we can expect the eaves and fascia, render and the roof tiles should arrive. How fantastic! So we may; fingers, toes and eyes crossed, get away with no more rain getting inside the house. Will post a pic when there is something new too look at. Thanks for your attention span, you can go back to sleep now. What? HEY!? oh looks like you're asleep already...oh well there must someone that's interested. Yeah well when the smell of those snags wafts under your nose from the house warming BBQ you'll sit up and pay attention won't you???
Oh yes, and Freedom rang and said our 3 light shades are ready to pick up for our stair well!!! YOOOhooooooo... yes well THAT was worth waking up for wasn't it? Party pooper. Be careful or I will make you look at more pictures as well.

Getting there

2009-09-13T17:08:00.000-07:00

Well they have taken down the blue sarong from the front so I am a bit dissapointed as I wanted to get a pic for Southies my HomeOne buddy. There's still a small wrap down the sides though. Why did they use BLUE? I wonder? Matches the dunny. They are bricking very fast, we are impressed. You can see the bottom floor is almost done.

I am trying to get a privacy screen going in pots. Thinking of clumping Bamboo or maybe Hop Bush to help screen the view of our house for the neighbours. The Al Frescos are virtually oppposite. I know my neighbour likes Bamboo so that may be the way to go.