tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13360489412190727182024-03-13T18:56:07.887+11:00Our Home On The RangeKarmazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338448040047470051noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336048941219072718.post-75729630498711661482011-12-30T00:45:00.004+11:002012-01-04T22:56:15.249+11:00A new one that will begin<strong><span style="color: #783f04;">Thursday (almost Friday), 29 December 2011.</span></strong> Cliche, brace for a cliche. Yes, its hard to believe another year has flown past. Time seems to move faster as it goes by, if that makes sense. <br />
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As a wee un, I remember watching the clock in study class, waiting and waiting to for those minutes to tick by so that we could move on to the next big event (usually breakfast, lunch or dinner for us half starved boarders, and on occasion play time too). Now, I turn to the clock and more often than not, wonder where the day went. Between chasing three boys, working full time and trying to maintain some semblence of order in the house, there isnt a moment to spare.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #783f04;">Home Sweet Home!</span></strong></td></tr>
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Still, when another year rolls around its time to pause, take stock and give thanks for all that we have. This was a big year for us, summed up below:<br />
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1. Our new home was completed. Two years of plans, paperwork and frustration came to fruition, and it is all we dreamed of and more.<br />
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2. Our home is still standing. Dented and bruised where the little one has taken it on (and won). Its full of noise and laughter and is not always the tidiest but hey I'd rather a house that is full of life and messy, than one that is spick and span and isnt. <br />
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3. This was the last year of kinder for my older boy, he starts school and the younger one starts kinder next year. They are so ready, I am so <em>not</em>.<br />
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4. We changed jobs, moved around, bit the bullet and started our own business. It has just been launched and there's heaps to do, promises to keep and miles to go before we sleep. <br />
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5. The seeds I planted grew. Yes they did! Normally they ignore all my coaxing, but these were kind enough to sprout. So now I have sunflowers that are taller than I am. The kids named the first sunflower Daniel, the second Butch. No idea why.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #783f04;">Daniel!</span></strong></td></tr>
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It looks like 2012 is shaping up to be a big year as well. More milestones, more noise, more time for family, friends and fun. I read somewhere that an optimist stays up until midnight to see the<strong> </strong>New Year in, a pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves. We'll be staying up, to see the New Year full of hope and promise in. Health, wealth, sunflowers, sunshine and happiness to you and your families, and may 2012 be your year of dreams realised too.Karmazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338448040047470051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336048941219072718.post-61486334404720015562011-11-21T21:18:00.002+11:002011-11-21T21:21:28.199+11:00The House Rules<strong><span style="color: #783f04;">Monday, 21 November 2011.</span></strong> My patience has been tested. And so have the house rules. Y'know the decals that you liked so much, the older one decided to test the advertised claim that they were removable. With the edge of a particularly sharp ruler, he sidled up to it and gently prised a tiny bit of a letter off. More was no doubt to follow, but we caught the imp in the act, and he scutttled off before more damage could be done.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #783f04;">Them rules, view from the bottom of the staircase</span></strong></td></tr>
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<em>We do forgiveness</em>, <br />
<em>We do second chances</em> and <br />
<em>We do really loud</em> - all got a good work out. <br />
<em>We do love</em> came out trumps, because he is still fed and clothed, and secondly he still has his beloved iPad. Which was supposed to be my birthday present last year, but has been completely appropriated by the little dictators. <br />
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We did put up the Christmas tree this weekend. Being five and three now, the kids 'get' Christmas. The list of demands has been pretty simple so far. The older one wants 'a million billion dollars'and Curly wants lots of nice presents. So far, so good - thats how easy our boys are. We have determined that Nobby, Santa's head honcho elf, has in fact four lists. They are:<br />
<ul><li>Super duper good</li>
<li>Nice</li>
<li>Awful </li>
<li>Bloody awful. Sorry - make that Horrible</li>
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At any given time, the kids fluctuate between these lists and Nobby keeps a watcful eye on their behaviour to see where they stand. Needless to say, 'super duper good' means its likely you will get what you want and 'horrible' means the elves will take particular care to wrap some of Curly's stinkiest nappies in the most beautiful wrapping paper ever to put under the tree. Nobby is just a phone call away, though his number changes on a daily basis just because my pre-baby memory has never quite come back. The question of how we will get to a million billion dollars in the next month or so is best left unanswered. Ah! the magic of Christmas.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #783f04;">Tree all done, dressed to the hilt!</span></strong></td></tr>
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Back to putting up the tree, it was so much fun! With apologies to our neighbours because we had "Jingle Bell Rock" on full blast, the ornaments went up quickly. The boys were bouncing off the wall with excitement, and because they were having such a ball, we decorated two trees not one. Curly was thrilled with all his "goggles" (baubles) and the older one woke up at midnight and asked if we could move the tree to his room. Which was agreed to amiably, because midnight is not the quite the right time to start a discussion, and by morning he'd forgotten all about it.<br />
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<div>Christmas is coming, christmas is coming!</div>Karmazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338448040047470051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336048941219072718.post-36173108913379006862011-11-20T14:51:00.002+11:002011-11-21T15:39:04.866+11:00So this is Christmas....<strong><span style="color: #783f04;">Friday, 18 November 2011.</span></strong> Its almost Christmas. I didn’t think I’d be sayin this in November, but the plum pudding is out in the stores and the older one is learning “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” on the piano. Jingle Bells is for kids, you know.<br />
I cant believe how fast the year has flown. A cliché but oh so true. Last year this time our house was just a frame I think, and I was carrying on about brickies and the like. And now we are in and it is home.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #783f04;">Landscaping all done, the brick letter box too...</span></strong></td></tr>
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There’s scribbling on the wall, and dents and bumps where the younger one has careened full tilt with his little Scuttlebug bike in an attempt to conquer the world. There little sticky hand prints on the railing where sugar soap admitted defeat. The builders, kind souls, have fixed almost everything. <br />
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There are sunflowers grown from seed in the flowerbeds, and a few hardy chilli plants that defied the caterpillars too. There are lovely little kids across the street, who make great playmates for boys. The landscaping is done – in front of the house at least, and the backyard shall be done in time too. The house has stood up to some awful weather and been quite stoic, all things considered. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #783f04;">House rules, love this one!</span></strong></td></tr>
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There’s fighting and squabbling, and love and laughter. The decal we have for our walls says it all. The Christmas tree may go up this weekend, or maybe next. And for this and more, we are grateful. We have each other, we are home.Karmazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338448040047470051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336048941219072718.post-32496950994936039132011-09-04T22:40:00.003+10:002011-09-04T22:49:36.098+10:00Rocks, blocks and pebbles<b>Thursday 01 September 2011</b>. Its been a month since I last blogged. Not that you've been hanging out waiting to read my posts, they're not quite as newsworthy as Jolie adding to her brood, or Kardashian splurging on her wedding when she could actually single handedly end the famine in Ethopia. Naaw, that would be boring-do-good stuff that would barely get her on the cover of Women's Weekly never mind selling another copy of the infamous tapes that most pretend celebs want to have. Me, I'm still trying to figure out how to get a good profile pic for FB that doesnt show my double chin.<br />
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I digress. I have been busy and that is true. Landscaper, nice chappie came in and gave us a quote that knocked our socks off. So DH went out and hired a dingo and when it came he was as excited as a kid at Christmas. Boys and their toys, they never grow up I reckon. The more excited DH was, the more worried I was. I think I prayed more than I ever did in a long time the weekend the dingo came to stay.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #783f04;">The dingo posing</b></td></tr>
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These dingo diggers are nifty little pieces to move rocks, saves your back but not quite your wallet. They do take more than a little skill to use, and they do these little wheelies when you turn around complete with rubber marks on the concrete. Gave me palpitations it did, I must be getting old. Meanwhile DH had this cool dude - I know what I'm doing look, scary that.<br />
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Anyhow long story short, the rocks got moved into place, and the only damage was a pipe that stuck out and deserved its come uppance. That said, I was rather happy to see the dingo sent back to Coates Hire on Monday. DH ordered cubic metres of top soil and pebbles (crushed ice) and pavers and it was back breaking shovelling then. Worth the effort though, its slowly coming together.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #783f04;">Like I need more dirt!</b></td></tr>
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A trip to Kuranga Native Nursery, kangaroo paws, cut leaf daisys, and a couple of green notes later, we had more plants for the rock garden. The tousled little one waters them faithfully, and while he's at it, he waters the weeds too. All things are equal y'know.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #783f04;">Jasper checks the plants out.</span></b></td></tr>
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Amongst all that, the female guppy in the fish tank (christened Mama Guppy) decided to add to the drama. She waddled pot-bellied around the tank for a fair bit and as soon as we put her in another tank, she had about twenty fry. That's what baby fish are called, according to Google - I never would have known. Now she's up the duff again. The fish have more fun than we do, I reckon. Kids are most excited though, and I'm told they will be up for sale for one hundred and seventy one million dollars by the older one. Lovely, I can retire now.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #783f04;">Crushed ice and pavers all done</b></td></tr>
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In the next few weeks we are hoping to get the retaining walls done, and then the porch fixed. Then we'll start on the backyard so the trampoline can come out of the garage and be put through the paces again. Nothing like a good hour of bouncing to wear the boys out, call for good long sleeps for them and time to catch up on some movies for us. Quickflix rocks. <br />
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Spring has sprung, the dingo is done, and all is well with the world. Karmazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338448040047470051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336048941219072718.post-59750233279100910302011-07-31T00:03:00.001+10:002011-07-31T00:12:56.938+10:00Just because<b style="color: #783f04;">Day 346, Saturday, 30 July 2011. </b>Just cause the kids are in bed, just cause the little one hasnt yet woken up shouting for his bottle (yeah, I'm tempting fate, livin dangerously here), just cause I dont feel like folding clothes or washing dishes, or even finding the gazillion papers that means we can do our taxes, I actually have half an hour before its tomorrow and so I can blog. Playing old songs on YouTube and doing one of the things I like best.<br />
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So the dingo has been booked, one more check mark on our list. Another one is that we have called Adonis back to finish the retaining wall and start on a pergola. Summer will be here soon enough, and the kiddies will be wanting to be outdoors after a long wet winter. I called Stratco for a quote and goodness gracious me, had I peeked at those numbers before, we would have been better off choosing a Grand Alfresco with our good friends the volume builders.<br />
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Adonis is nice, he does a good job and refrains from the common propensity to pull figures out of the sky when asked for a quote. Greek god and all that, must count for something. So the retaining wall goes in sometime at the end of August or early September and then the pergola shortly after. I've chosen a nice gable look one which should give us a bit of extra height and a really nice look. I hope.<br />
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Back to the dingo, DH is counting the days down to getting his new toy, while I'm getting progressively more nervous. One week, seven days, weather be kind, rocks play nice, gas meter - duck! and water pipes stay hidden. The dingo's a-coming.Karmazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338448040047470051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336048941219072718.post-90507415813036075352011-07-29T01:01:00.004+10:002011-07-29T09:17:13.264+10:00DH, the Dingo, and the not-so-leaky Porch<b>Day 345, Friday, 29 July 2011</b>. Almost four months on and I have good news to report. Our porch will be fixed. There will be no more shivery bouts in the rain for those that stop by. And the deck installed by Adonis has been granted a safe stay. Adonis is happy, as is this harried mum of two. And volume builder, I will sing your praises. Your customer service is impeccable. Sure there are ups and downs, but hey, whats a few bumps and bruises amongst friends. What matters is it all came good in the end.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoL_4NYUSGk1RnpojN_LNyAuu46hkUf0_IqOsxU4HuIREjSKkPm4GvGhWrewKb2aP9nVT8cnNVGHgnZBpi_XlP5yuLbcuQVQl6JpdA7zscgTPBXGBwNTLP3mVk3BzCunUZ66REphp9V4sB/s1600/Picture+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoL_4NYUSGk1RnpojN_LNyAuu46hkUf0_IqOsxU4HuIREjSKkPm4GvGhWrewKb2aP9nVT8cnNVGHgnZBpi_XlP5yuLbcuQVQl6JpdA7zscgTPBXGBwNTLP3mVk3BzCunUZ66REphp9V4sB/s320/Picture+001.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #783f04;">August 2010: This is what we started out with a long, long time ago.....</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
I think the rugrats will be happy too. Their gumboots which are more often than not too muddy to bring in are left under the porch and usually collect enough water to rival our fish tank, leaving the boys less than impressed. That shall now be a thing of the past.<br />
<br />
Speaking of fish tanks, ours has had a bit of a rough ride. The curly headed one decided that despite being fed thrice a day, the fish looked half-starved and emptied a full bottle of fish food into the tank. I could weep. The fish were quite thrilled for a little bit, and then the tank turned quite cloudy and the guppies bumped into the Siamese fighter who chased the neon tetras and all was not well in that underwater world. DH is trying to replace water, restore sanity and we hope to have a clear tank and happy fish sooner rather than later.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDAkVLFfIuoEncapSwntXJDSCN0huA7VNng5HWnIh3jDrdhIAKCjWtASQpUUh0-NGSGLTrP-oXuH3bkI2yTDo6rZUPI7lXC3LSmz2vqedu9TKOcueFZHOijoUefCA0gUipPFIW-LiM7tJ/s1600/Picture+970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDAkVLFfIuoEncapSwntXJDSCN0huA7VNng5HWnIh3jDrdhIAKCjWtASQpUUh0-NGSGLTrP-oXuH3bkI2yTDo6rZUPI7lXC3LSmz2vqedu9TKOcueFZHOijoUefCA0gUipPFIW-LiM7tJ/s320/Picture+970.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #783f04;">Jarrah brick, so glad I won that battle!!</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Then there's the matter of landscaping. DH has grand visions of a rock garden. Suits me, rock garden equals a lower notched scale of nagging when it comes to mowing. So we looked around, and those rocks that stand around doing nuffing actually are rather expensive. So once I got over how much it would cost, we ordered rocks. <b>Stop right there.</b><br />
<br />
Rocks have to be moved you know. And with DH moving them, each medium sized rock would equal no less than one visit to the chiropractor. Couple that with weeks of massages and the accompanying groans that we'd have to endure, that idea went straight into the too-hard bucket. A quote from a landscaper shows that I clearly am in the wrong profession. I should have focused on rocks and pebbles instead of rules and regulations. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWpzf5f3VOPgEd8OIV7RjlfoKhE2WH5fwjzd2TN2EQJMCIU-s5byRPFwePADLuBcjVIf3zHGyyNlnAm_PbnUH3g_gqTHC0ltkUcEiDTR7EFgM4WRsulloKQKMz5cSpSz2WIjyv3hEGxZz/s1600/Picture+686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWpzf5f3VOPgEd8OIV7RjlfoKhE2WH5fwjzd2TN2EQJMCIU-s5byRPFwePADLuBcjVIf3zHGyyNlnAm_PbnUH3g_gqTHC0ltkUcEiDTR7EFgM4WRsulloKQKMz5cSpSz2WIjyv3hEGxZz/s320/Picture+686.jpg" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #783f04;">On the Range</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
Anyhow, the long and short of it is DH has now hired a dingo. A small bob cat to move the rocks into place and excavate the soil will be here next Friday. The last attempt to remove a weed resulted in a burst pipe and so I'm holding my breath to see what the dingo will do. Its probably a toy for boys, but for me I'm counting chickens and some rocks. Until next week.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>PS: Apologies for recycling old piccies, weathers been pretty awful of late so there aren't any newish ones.</i></span>Karmazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338448040047470051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336048941219072718.post-22432022920257764042011-06-17T20:57:00.006+10:002011-06-18T08:42:45.842+10:00Three months on<b style="color: #783f04;">Day 303. Friday, 17 June 2011.</b> You heard that correctly – three months. Its been three months since we moved in. It’s a long time, enough for a baby to morph from a squally scrunchy being to one with more defined features - like Mum, Dad; preferably not the postman. And for us to put the house through its paces.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDaPvnN35baEQk3z-ab7KOFYp4Fe25yKHy31qNKaG6y_g0YR4nvAX7aiV_KSBd-di7l7sj7orIynuS5DGMsIbYiX6oo2MMzI0zlCtkclIvFgU8c_hMBnI3qcLTR2W7C44mqnmRDGj7qHwY/s1600/IMG_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDaPvnN35baEQk3z-ab7KOFYp4Fe25yKHy31qNKaG6y_g0YR4nvAX7aiV_KSBd-di7l7sj7orIynuS5DGMsIbYiX6oo2MMzI0zlCtkclIvFgU8c_hMBnI3qcLTR2W7C44mqnmRDGj7qHwY/s320/IMG_0004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #783f04;">Put through its paces</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
If houses had personalities, our previous home would be akin to “The Nest” and this one is “The Entertainer”. We have friends, neighbours and people in general – like the solar panel installer always stopping by. I do love that, coming from where we do, our sense of community is very strong. There’s always a cuppa tea and a couple of cookies to go around. Some of the more sticky ones the kids will have made, but they are in principle, still edible.<br />
<br />
<br />
Our home is lovely – lots of light on good days and nice and warm when we need it to be. I think most choices have turned out pretty well. We might get a sparky in to get a few more plug points and to wire a doorbell. DH’s attempt at a stick on doorbell from Bunnings fell off before you could say Jack Splat, or Fells Bells or whatever. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuJnL3PMgHSCy2n_ya6bzxy-KdnDcz7TlpTpN5RjQJ_y5mHwwLL7Wt4-0uw0km1ZkOaTmMG3dqJmHABaOaq_UA2jQsfZ205mqM5W62RtMfS4d7JXZOEYpVGaDBIGGcRLeVdlVfrUbR37R/s1600/IMG_0046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuJnL3PMgHSCy2n_ya6bzxy-KdnDcz7TlpTpN5RjQJ_y5mHwwLL7Wt4-0uw0km1ZkOaTmMG3dqJmHABaOaq_UA2jQsfZ205mqM5W62RtMfS4d7JXZOEYpVGaDBIGGcRLeVdlVfrUbR37R/s320/IMG_0046.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #783f04;">Entrance; Apsara chillaxing</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
Back to maintenance, I will say our home has come up tops. Even so there will be a list for the maintenance crew when they come over in a week. Sticky doors, gaps between doors and bricks, holy plaster that literally has holes, cracks in the garage architraves, water pressure equal to a lonely tap in the middle of a Sub Saharan desert (I exaggerate), but its not too bad. <br />
<br />
Except for the shonky porch. Yes, I’m still riding that swashbuckling horse. Took me a good three weeks to track down all the paper work Consumer Affairs wanted, and it finally went in the mail last week. By registered post no less. The last thing I want is for it to do the disappearing act and then for me to have to look all over for occupancy permits, building permits, contracts and other bits of signed papers in every nook and cranny. <br />
<br />
I count myself as very lucky that none of them papers had squiggles on them; the curly headed toddler has taken to scribbling with a vengeance. His brow furrows with concentration as he masters one squiggle after another and then proclaims “I did it”. There goes the electricity bill and the next bit of paper was his brother’s enrollment forms for school. Nothing much escapes the little terror, walls included<br />
.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bhSGxz_LhRR00RSGGwTzGqrF74UoDqlSW1CEADz_dJAn2t0A-bKW_LvlZCvRmYYRcm2NrcTbk9gZgow-B2k7l8mUzWez4S6JOxcpIodrH0WErsGGeM-NNmRkJLeGrk1kRGWMkqwWOE3z/s1600/IMG_0042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bhSGxz_LhRR00RSGGwTzGqrF74UoDqlSW1CEADz_dJAn2t0A-bKW_LvlZCvRmYYRcm2NrcTbk9gZgow-B2k7l8mUzWez4S6JOxcpIodrH0WErsGGeM-NNmRkJLeGrk1kRGWMkqwWOE3z/s320/IMG_0042.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #783f04;">Family/Dining area: looks better when there's more light</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
Anyhow, to cut a long story short, the papers went in. I do not like leaky porches, I think I’ve made it amply clear. Design flaws are not fun and do not make this a job well done. I’m waiting now to hear from Consumer Affairs, a stack of papers in tow. There’s VCAT next, and I will not give up unless there is an extremely good reason why a porch should be designed to leak. It’s like<br />
<ul><li>a car that is designed not to move or</li>
<li>a solar panel that works only at night </li>
</ul>Kind of defies logic – well mine at least, and also that of the other good folk that have emailed me on this one.<br />
<br />
Very interestingly, the plans of the house we chose were taken off the builder's website soon after I sent in a message say we were going to Consumer Affairs about a porch that showed in the default plan but had to be paid for before we could get it. Coincidence or conspiracy theory? Hmmmm.... <br />
<br />
I wish I could just say :<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">“Dear Volume Builder, I’ve been a good customer. Built a lovely house, and paid a fancy amount on time every time. A leaky porch doesn’t make this house a talking point. It shouldn’t be that hard to solve a problem, even my two year old tried to seal the gaps with Playdough – and I give him full marks for trying. Let me enjoy my new house, please just fix this. The plans showed a porch -please could we have a functional one? And then I will be one very happy Vegemite, as bright as bright can be. I will sing your praises and let everyone know how great your homes are and how much you value your customers. I promise. Cross my crotchety old heart. – Signed, a cold, chilly and soaking-wet-under-the-leaky-porch-of-my-brand-new-house Mum. </div>Karmazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338448040047470051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336048941219072718.post-76313505397168228832011-05-21T02:15:00.001+10:002011-05-21T08:32:02.298+10:00Off to Consumer Affairs we go<b style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Day 276, Saturday 21 May 2011.</span> </b>Waited patiently, which I will say is very unike me, for the builders to come to the party. You know , the one where they admit that a design flaw isnt a paying customer's fault and therefore should be remedied without too much ado.<br />
<br />
One sided party it turned out to be for I got a call early yesterday morning saying ah yes, the porch was <i><u>designed</u></i> to be leaky and so we wont be a-fixing it. Unless you dig deep (again) and cough up two thousand big ones. <br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBm94Ft4kSjNqO8laokvD6O5V0cuy1p0QmWbnduer5As515HsA39SnpRy28YT6RBihnfkwl4o9bSKeVsjsG0Uael127jo7a-KAbWsAkj7VteEJyixqYDrFByJEGW1qA4QDGqUgiSJIhLH/s1600/IMG_0669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBm94Ft4kSjNqO8laokvD6O5V0cuy1p0QmWbnduer5As515HsA39SnpRy28YT6RBihnfkwl4o9bSKeVsjsG0Uael127jo7a-KAbWsAkj7VteEJyixqYDrFByJEGW1qA4QDGqUgiSJIhLH/s320/IMG_0669.jpg" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><b>Reserve; subject to flooding. Ducks, be warned.</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Now I think I'm a reasonable and fair person. The solar panel guy who installed panels on our roof without us asking for them, could have been sued and told to bugger off. Rather than penalise someone for a honest mistake, we paid his costs and let him off the hook. Karma and all that jazz. </div> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">By the same token I expect others to play fair. Do what you are expected to, and I wont ask for more. And sometimes I will let you off the hook too. Like when we realised that the basic house plan we chose came with a porch and yet we had to pay the same builders $1,900 or so to actually get one, we paid without a ruckus. But now being asked to pay once again to stop the raindrops from drenching us, the <strike>brats</strike> boys, visitors and my brand new merbau deck is a bit much.</div> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The buck stops here. A porch is by definition a covered area meant to shelter one from the elements. Unsusupecting visitors dash under its cover for refuge from the chilly rain only to find they are still drenched from above. One timber slat is coming away already, in less than three months. Kind of defies the purpose of having a porch, you reckon?</div><br />
Well, Consumer Affairs agrees. I had a chat with them soon after our SS put the phone down, and it is as simple as being "not fit for purpose". Its not like I expect the porch to do the washing, cleaning and laundry for us (that would be nice!) but all we really want is for it to be a functional porch, and protect us from the elements. Which it doesnt. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQTnqONllF8UBExj5_Qzz9u8B9qSlhR84PNtvWrXhFDCSewA5ibcchORbTT6LFkdt7vmvLuTccwsCa9O471uiHNy6d7smuPWNqoAUnjfNsiTQfXgTUCm3hGt5buBJ41OXelX8NGgQLWgT3/s1600/IMG_0805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQTnqONllF8UBExj5_Qzz9u8B9qSlhR84PNtvWrXhFDCSewA5ibcchORbTT6LFkdt7vmvLuTccwsCa9O471uiHNy6d7smuPWNqoAUnjfNsiTQfXgTUCm3hGt5buBJ41OXelX8NGgQLWgT3/s320/IMG_0805.jpg" unselectable="on" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #783f04;">The Grumpy Old Tree. Its just like me.</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
A stubborn Scorpion I will admit to being, especially if I feel someone isnt playing fair. In this case, I'm ready to go the whole hog, Consumer Affairs and VCAT too. I'd rather not, but sometimes a girl has to do what a girl has to do. </div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In that sense, I'm a teeny tiny bit like my battle-axe Aunt Ivy. She who has the rickshaw-wallah's and cops too, quaking in fear. They dare not diddle her out of a single naya paise. I'm not paying again for something that we have paid for i.e. a porch that is fit for purpose. </div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: black;">I'd really like to meet the guy who designed a leaky porch and get him to stay under it for just a little while. He'd change his master plans quick smart after a short shivery bout in the rain. Architect of the Year? I think not. Pure genius? That's quite unlikely too. You can tell, I'm not the least bit impressed. And that my friends, is just that.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br />
<img height="96px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQTnqONllF8UBExj5_Qzz9u8B9qSlhR84PNtvWrXhFDCSewA5ibcchORbTT6LFkdt7vmvLuTccwsCa9O471uiHNy6d7smuPWNqoAUnjfNsiTQfXgTUCm3hGt5buBJ41OXelX8NGgQLWgT3/s320/IMG_0805.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 285px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 1440px; visibility: hidden;" width="72px" />Karmazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338448040047470051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336048941219072718.post-665729802931142782011-05-15T19:59:00.008+10:002011-05-15T22:59:45.996+10:00Of fencing, leaky porches and good friends<strong><span style="color: #783f04;">Day 270. Sunday, 15 May 2011.</span></strong> After all that drama there was peace. Somebody upstairs must have had a bout of sympathy for this much harried greying mother of two. Three kids, if you count DH.<br />
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFf4vxQLu2qdZnoW9P_me4JEiWKWNplAngIgGdk4h3U1OsDsLUzkCe4kNapI-3AnLIdM49fb9DAmavuZlW-IzJp27lOQFfqmEWwUbx-0M6BYz0t7Z6KFY2O-jXn8x09Y-kNmIXI_b0dtY/s1600/IMG_0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFf4vxQLu2qdZnoW9P_me4JEiWKWNplAngIgGdk4h3U1OsDsLUzkCe4kNapI-3AnLIdM49fb9DAmavuZlW-IzJp27lOQFfqmEWwUbx-0M6BYz0t7Z6KFY2O-jXn8x09Y-kNmIXI_b0dtY/s320/IMG_0014.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><strong>Home by night</strong></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
For starters, a cheque came in by registered post – a half share for the fence at the back. It’s a pity it took a legal notice for that to happen, but sometimes a stick works better than a carrot. Anyhow, done is done and I for one, am glad that it didn’t go any further. <br />
<br />
<br />
Neighbour #2 returned a signed quote too, and the fencers were booked without any delay. They came in and Tuesday this week the posts went up quick smart. Then Melbourne weather being what it is, hail, rain and generally unpredictable meant that nothing else gets done till the sun comes out.<br />
<br />
Although I think we are rather sociable, it will be sweet to see those 6 foot four inch fences up. The fences have caused more angst than an army of archetypal mother in laws (it has to be said that mine is really nice) and it also means that in theory, we can let the kids out. Hah – with weather miserable enough to freeze the toes off anybody, its nigh impossible for the kids to play outside until spring comes around. Even so, its one more thing off my list.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pmbyTyo5KKBF4VDdtym6vn8apqyh59KipuVgruD-qheUFwy9FGcJqvPjPNhfqF6tYS0KWm_SjlrzOL0S-3aFLN7iUpPJlu3ug859gEndK4RSRNzsnzgkGnALmv6Egk2uFNtyo9Qb-H5c/s1600/IMG_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pmbyTyo5KKBF4VDdtym6vn8apqyh59KipuVgruD-qheUFwy9FGcJqvPjPNhfqF6tYS0KWm_SjlrzOL0S-3aFLN7iUpPJlu3ug859gEndK4RSRNzsnzgkGnALmv6Egk2uFNtyo9Qb-H5c/s320/IMG_0003.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #783f04;">Fences in. Phew!!</span></strong></td></tr>
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Another item that I can check off is the driveway and backyard. As you probably gathered, I am a planner, a to-do lister and nothing pleases me more than neat ticks against tasks. If you told me this two decades ago (and here I am revealing my age), I would have laughed loudly. And my teachers way back in school would have laughed even louder. I think I spent more time outside the classroom than in, all part of a fascinating education system that mass produced scholars and a rare day dreamer. <br />
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Back to the driveway and backyard, its done. One more neat tick mark and to his credit DH ensure that them concreters did a reasonably good job. He supplied them with chai and bikkies on the days they worked well and nuffing on the days they did not. Suffice to say they soon got the picture, and the drains mentioned in their quote went in, chai and bikkie supply was restored and all was well in the world. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpae93gEvoMTotexuT-qa9ab-LTdW3_wq2LaPNNxGB-lJxVWZ8Go8Ea038HM912dfZWRPqdztMBNCR5jjhS9rva9Spn4lxUndrsMWYsEiLQME9kKdICnb0ZuxBVk1fJkByJNG91YweDsd3/s1600/IMG_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpae93gEvoMTotexuT-qa9ab-LTdW3_wq2LaPNNxGB-lJxVWZ8Go8Ea038HM912dfZWRPqdztMBNCR5jjhS9rva9Spn4lxUndrsMWYsEiLQME9kKdICnb0ZuxBVk1fJkByJNG91YweDsd3/s320/IMG_0005.JPG" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><strong>Exposed aggregate driveway.</strong></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Exposed aggregate is what we went for, looks better than plain concrete and is priced so. Even though it doesn’t look good for my budget, DH was so keen on it and won that battle. Come to think of it, he’s been winning far too many battles of late; I might have to rethink my strategy on the home front. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Right now, the only wet blanket is our leaky porch. I’m still not happy with the half baked explanation we got and our good builders have one last chance to fix this before I rope in the big guns. Consumer Affairs and VCAT, and they tell me we have a jolly good case. When I say “jolly good” it reminds me of ‘Mind Your Language’ that far from politically correct series that had us in splits those days. If you remember that one, chances are you belong to the same generation as I did. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I digress. So we wait for some positive news from our volume builder, hoping that they agree that a leaky porch was not a part of the contract. It shouldn’t take Einstein to figure that one out. One last week before my patience is see-through and off I shall go to the big guns for help. I’d rather not, but I will if I have to. And that you know by now is that. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsTwmB-juZJ3Ule2mAkMedTQSzMcX8qfPdRA-PytARDKWpi00Dg3-NQ6jQuv7p9n7jhkivmo8ZiDlEHU2hxY7PeZfaqDEQNXqWmQJcuCLgS4ColTE8XwdwuNWQcGmQB2M8RKEDT-s7ipC/s1600/IMG_0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><strong><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsTwmB-juZJ3Ule2mAkMedTQSzMcX8qfPdRA-PytARDKWpi00Dg3-NQ6jQuv7p9n7jhkivmo8ZiDlEHU2hxY7PeZfaqDEQNXqWmQJcuCLgS4ColTE8XwdwuNWQcGmQB2M8RKEDT-s7ipC/s320/IMG_0008.jpg" width="240px" /></span></strong></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #783f04;">Little man by the door. I kinda like him, he's been around for a while now.</span></strong></td></tr>
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</div>Just by the way, a few old school friends came over and we had a really lovely time reminiscing last evening. Reminds me that inspite of all the angst over colour choices, fences, leaky porches and that, it’s really the people in our lives that matter most. Followed closely by our home.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Karmazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338448040047470051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336048941219072718.post-8416226182371849682011-04-22T22:14:00.005+10:002011-04-22T23:01:24.674+10:00Raindrops keep falling on our heads....<strong><span style="color: #783f04;">Day 247, Friday, 23 April 2011.</span></strong> Its been a busy month and a bit since we moved in. So much happening that I haven't had a chance to update my blog. No shortage of drama though, I may as well start outlining those, just so you know that I haven't been slack.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #783f04;">Moved some plants over, still has to be landscaped</span></strong></td></tr>
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<b style="color: #783f04;">Drama #1: </b>Nice neighbour at the rear of our block told us his is an investment property and he didn't want to go halves on the fence. His nice wife gave me a earful too. As per the Fences Act 1968 there is a legal obligation to contribute so a legal notice sat in their mailbox last week to which they have 30 days to respond. I can understand if they were hard up and wanted to work things out but turns out that they are very wealthy and have several properties. Also that they do intend to build there to downsize so the investment property was a load of cr*p. It might be naieve, but I dont get why people just cant be fair and do the right thing. That's one neighbour whose not going to get a 'welcome to the estate' bottle of wine from me. And if the rugrats turn up the volume in the backyard, they'll just have to buy better ear plugs.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #783f04;">View from the balcony, Dandenongs in the background</span></strong></td></tr>
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</blockquote><strong><span style="color: #783f04;">Drama #2:</span></strong> After three weeks of being in and no mail DH copped a earful. So he went to Bunnings and picked up a cheapskate letter box. It stood a bit wobbly in a brick but at least allows us to get mail. Later that night we talked about solar panels and decided nope, wasnt for us just yet. End of discussion. Tuesday morning a tradie rocks up and says, dunno how to break this to you, but I was supposed to install panels on the house down the road but you have them instead. And that will be $3k please. To borrow a phrase - what the chicken? Anyhow, many discussions and a bit of venting later turns out it was an honest mistake. They drove down the main road, took one look at aforementioned cheapskate temporary letterbox and decided this was the place that needed the solar panels. So instead of suing the guy, we agreed to pay costs and no more. Good Christian folk and all, even if I dont go to church, so now there's even more light in our lives. <br />
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Which brings us to <b style="color: #783f04;">Drama #4</b>: We chose this lovely house. Well, DH did, and I agreed. The original plans showed a porch/balcony and I wanted one. But when we went to the next stage, there was a catch. Even though the plans showed a balcony and porch if we wanted one we would have to cough up a couple of grand. So we did. And now we are the proud owners of one leaking porch/blacony. The plans show a timber balcony and I have no issue with that. The issue is the balcony leaks. Now when you see the plans any reasonable person will think aha! the porch is meant to provide shelter and when you are under a porch, raindrops shouldn't be falling on your head.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ10BOFGurk7hhq64ui_d4RokJ4itEnjIqXtE2VJHA-HRvaVOxaQcRYF3Mhai8hCssfvG_JwFsqyHK-64XhODTcyuD0gruGPgnihDDepJnQOtPZ2TtXbc1AvnIBMNaJR-e0hQVOu4H9gd3/s1600/IMG_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ10BOFGurk7hhq64ui_d4RokJ4itEnjIqXtE2VJHA-HRvaVOxaQcRYF3Mhai8hCssfvG_JwFsqyHK-64XhODTcyuD0gruGPgnihDDepJnQOtPZ2TtXbc1AvnIBMNaJR-e0hQVOu4H9gd3/s320/IMG_0006.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Porch now has a deck, thanks Adonis!</span></td></tr>
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But they do. And not a little but a lot. The gaps in the timber means the water flows down and out. A design flaw I think, doesn't meet the definition of a functional porch to me. So I contacted them builders. And now it seems we'd have to cough up some more if we want a waterproof porch. So step through that again - some $$ to get a porch/balcony that was in the original plans and some more $$ to get it to function with tiles instead of timber. I don't want tiles, happy with timber but don't want leaks. Off the Building Advice Commission for their thoughts next week. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYQvf9jPKGO0yoWU-nKeZ1aZj0mqK6JnllmOfsrnoZaGqOn1XVZRj8708Wk8lSmBu5gOwqJfHn11AIbPN2HJmWkMkqjeam5OdoV7Emy8jzR62ruU7UKR1_yOB_9VMcPqRcSX2mvNYtopzn/s1600/IMG_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYQvf9jPKGO0yoWU-nKeZ1aZj0mqK6JnllmOfsrnoZaGqOn1XVZRj8708Wk8lSmBu5gOwqJfHn11AIbPN2HJmWkMkqjeam5OdoV7Emy8jzR62ruU7UKR1_yOB_9VMcPqRcSX2mvNYtopzn/s320/IMG_0001.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><strong>Underneath the leaky porch</strong></span></td></tr>
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Everyone who stops by loves our new house, but has the same reaction to the porch. Not good enough they agree. Especially if they happen to stop by when its raining. Design flaw or defect, doesnt matter. Its a safety hazard for one. Wood rots in the rain and there's no protection stopping anyone from going through the balcony if it does. And secondly my beautiful new merbau deck done by handsome Greek guy, is getting ruined in the rain. It's crying out to be fixed. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><strong>Just soaking in the rain</strong></span></td></tr>
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Between neighbour at the rear, the solar panel guy and the leaking porch, Mum's not happy Jan here. Then again its Easter, and so I'll stop being grumpy for a bit and get into those dark chocolate eggs till the break is over. And then look at ways of fixing all of this. <br />
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<strong><span style="color: #783f04;">PS:</span></strong></i><span style="color: #783f04;"> I must add all the other neighbours are just fantastic!</span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #783f04;">PPS:</span></strong></i><span style="color: #783f04;"> Will also add these key dates, just in case I forget:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #783f04;"><strong>Site Start: 18/08/10</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04;">Fencing and Portaloo: 20/08/10</span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04;">Pipes and Meter Box: 23/08/10</span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04;">Slab poured: 30/08/10</span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04;">Frame started: 06/09/10</span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04;">Frame Completed: 20/09/10</span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04;">Roof completed: 23/09/10</span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04;">Brickies started: 28/10/10</span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04;">Scaffolding started: 17/11/10</span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04;">Lock up: 15/12/10</span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04;"><strong>Move in: 11/03/11</strong></span>Karmazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338448040047470051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336048941219072718.post-71565694532080070462011-04-01T11:42:00.001+11:002011-04-01T11:43:55.354+11:00Fencing and more<strong><span style="color: #783f04;">Day 225. Thursday, 31 March 2011.</span></strong> Moving all done, sweet relief. Now for the next round of hard yards:<br />
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Number one.</span> To get the driveway done, install a timber deck for the porch so that I don’t have grubby footprints all over our lovely cream tiles. <br />
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Second</span> on my list, the blinds, so that the rugrats don’t wake up at unearthly hours all cheerful and smiling thinking its time to rise and shine. I need my beauty sleep, more so as I age. <br />
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<span style="color: #783f04;">The third</span> is the fencing. How do I contact the good neighbours and say, listen guys, you need your privacy, I need mine, how about we go about putting a 6 foot 4 inch fence on our boundary. And by the way you need to pay a half share, and I will too. It’s a bit of an odd way to start off a conversation with those next door. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><strong>Across the road. View from our study.</strong></span></td></tr>
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So I drafted a polite note to the neighbours and mailed it today. Dear good neighbours, please respond soon. I have two little <strike>brats</strike> boys that would soon undermine the fantastic work your builders are doing on your block and in the name of actually having a house that stands up for a good length of time, it might be in your interest to have fences up as soon as possible. Impermeable steel chain link ones might keep the curly mopped youngest one away, but for now capped 6 foot 4 inch sturdy timber fencing will protect your investment and my voice. I didn’t say that of course, but if they read between the lines, it would be wise to have that done yesterday. <br />
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I did want to add - it would really be nice if your builders quit damaging my house and cleaned up after themselves instead of throwing concrete on our side but that would be a trifle un-neighbourly, if that word exists. So I left that one to be battled out with the builders themselves, not our nice neighbours who in all probability have no idea what nonsense their builders are up to. Sometimes I wonder if really letting the curly headed mop top loose might not be such a bad idea after all. He's the one who is responsible for a large scar on his older brother (who is twice his size)'s face. Those builders would clean up their act quick smart if they saw him at his best.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #783f04;">Porch - merbau deck to be installed by Greek God here.</span></strong></td></tr>
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Then DH wanted a deck under the porch. For me exposed aggregate concrete was good enough (and wallet friendly too) but DH insisted. A couple of tradies and a young Greek god <em>(ripped like those guys you used to see in Bayswatch. I might be old but my eyesight is still pretty nifty) </em>dropped in to quote too, seemed to know what he was doing and he’s hired. Merbau deck goes in next week. Concrete drive way and backyard to follow shortly after and then the blinds. That’s my top three. No doubt I’ll find ten more afterwards, but that will do for now.<br />
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One thing we love doing here though is going for walks. The kids want to chase the ducks who have multiplied quite tenaciously. For me these walks are partly to get some exercise, partly to wear the kids out and then partly to have a sticky beak. Love to look around and see who is doing what, to think I should have done that, or I’m glad we did what we did. Sometimes its just ambling to make the most of our lovely surroundings, meet new families and more often, to enjoy the wildlife, cheeky cockatoos, roguish Rosellas and dithering ducklings.Karmazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338448040047470051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336048941219072718.post-65810889061709814282011-03-25T22:03:00.005+11:002011-03-25T22:21:57.918+11:00Living it up....and loving it!!<span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><strong>(Two weeks on)</strong></span><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">Day 219. Friday, 25 March 2011.</span></strong> So during that last bit of drama, I turned into Lara Croft. Kicked some pretty hard and yes, we got what we wanted. Bank came to the party, courtesy DH’s boss, and someone else did too. Settled on Friday 11 March 2011, two weeks ago – keys handed over to us and we were home!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #783f04;">Home sweet home!</span></strong></td></tr>
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</div>The boys were so excited, the first night we packed a few what-nots into a trailer and ‘camped’ out in one of the bedrooms. The older one just loved it, the younger one still a bit taken aback with the mayhem. The second day saw us packing frantically and waiting for the movers. Morning came and went, so did noon. No sign of them movers. Finally close to evening a big truck lumbered amiably and parked outside the house. <br />
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More excitement! Kids sat on a sofa in the garden playing with A & C our good friends who came along to help. “Monsta tuck” (monster truck) went the little one, and couldnt wait to climb in. So here I was happy as thinking we’d be all done and dusted and tucked in our brand spanking new home by late evening.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #783f04;">A housewarming gift! </span></strong></td></tr>
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Ha! Best laid plans and all that jazz. Those movers had caterpillars overtaking them, literally. Took them an hour to move the fridge, three hours later all the caterpillars in the neighbourhood were probably laughing hysterically at their pace. Sent them packing, pardon the poor pun, and then hired a truck and moved the rest ourselves. The last two weeks have been a blur, boxes, looking for clothes, more boxes, more looking for stuff. <br />
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Love our new home though. The soft carpets that had never been walked on, the smell of fresh paint, the clean airy feeling and excitement of the rugrats who just love the stairs. Up and down and up and down they go and are quite tired by bed time. The dishwasher, definitely tops on my list. The oven – tried and tested (muffins and quiche) and came out with flying colours. Them pretty stairwell lights and the soft downlights. The choice of three showers; the brats have christened the rain shower “Super Soaker” and the hand held one “Sonic” – don’t ask me why.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #783f04;">Using my oven for the first time</span></strong></td></tr>
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Love my pantry, where I can actually see the stockpile of food that has been amassed. Even the little birdy that throws itself at the side mirrors when I park the car and comes and peeks inquisitively at the pantry window is a charmer. That bird has some attitude!<br />
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Still so much to do, landscaping and fencing and blinds. All in good time. Grubby little hands left marks on the lovely walls, and scribbled all over them too. I was heart broken till I found my new best friend forever, sugar soap. Powerful stuff that wiped all the evidence clean and mum’s happy again.<br />
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Then DH went at the weeds in the garden, and next thing I know we needed plumbers to bandage the pipes that were savaged with the weeds. Turns out they shouldn’t have been placed that shallow, but naught much we can do about that. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #783f04;">Sunlight streaming in....</span></strong></td></tr>
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The family came over last weekend, and their reactions have been priceless. That and living in this beautiful house in this picturesque area, waking up to sunlight streaming in and the Ranges in the background, make the sweat and tears over the last two years well worth it. It is good to be home…..Karmazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338448040047470051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336048941219072718.post-39615218029934322012011-03-09T23:48:00.003+11:002011-03-10T00:02:43.061+11:00Whoop-de-doo!<div class="ecxMsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #783f04;">Day 203 or so. Wednesday 9 March 2011. </span></b>Just when you think you have this building business nailed it bites you in the proverbial. Two Friday's in a row I've taken leave to 'move house'. Boxes packed, movers booked, friends (thanks Mandy & Carl) and some really nice rellies (thanks J) enlisted. Mammoth task and all y'know, even though its just five minutes down the road. </div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal">SS confirmed that all was good. The part where the builders of our nice neighbours decided to extend their site cut over to our side of the boundary and take some of the soil from under our garage as well for good measure was kind of sorted. Occupancy certificate issued once the above drama was nipped in the bud - a concerted plan saw that through.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #783f04;">Garage has finally has a door!</b></td></tr>
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So feeling rather cheerful I called the bank today to confirm that the cheque would be ready for Friday. Hang on a minute said the bank, the valuers havent been to the property. Nope, they have, said I. The SS said they were out yesterday. No, said the bank, they were not. Sherlock back on the case and turns out that the valuer from the bank went out on Tuesday for the valuation and our SS says he was running 10 mins late. The valuer didnt wait and headed off after 10 mins. SS couldnt make it earlier today so now the valuation is scheduled for tomorrow morning, which means it is touch and go for settlement this week.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1IBl1_LKOgQP1a8MhBAzM6UHyGyQ7Kyv5AQfzWUccnnPJYXSgR_MN8cIgm2ZOnZSI5HHFV7EFtIw8g1adhtj7j465uWRUF6rMvQKFFljZyqW4cjqTtoRq57jFSfguG66kFH0_K45EGKto/s1600/IMG_1444.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1IBl1_LKOgQP1a8MhBAzM6UHyGyQ7Kyv5AQfzWUccnnPJYXSgR_MN8cIgm2ZOnZSI5HHFV7EFtIw8g1adhtj7j465uWRUF6rMvQKFFljZyqW4cjqTtoRq57jFSfguG66kFH0_K45EGKto/s320/IMG_1444.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #783f04;">Just another angle. Rubbish cage will disappear shortly.</b></td></tr>
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I really could do without this extra hassle, I'm told PD wont hand over keys without the cheque - and thats all up the creek through no fault of mine. I've appealed to the powers that be at PD and the gods at the great bank and am hoping that someone comes through for me.The funds are all approved, PD has the evidence that they are approved yet the incessant delays are driving us bananas.<br />
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</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal">Dont know who to be mad at, the crabby valuers who couldnt wait or the SS who was running late. The SS is generally good, just so happened this one crucial time. Either ways, them valuers dont care, neither will it really affect the builders if settlement is delayed yet again. But for me, I could use some choice Aussie swear words, not that I usually do. Just this once. </div>Karmazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338448040047470051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336048941219072718.post-38503455431745789712011-03-05T00:24:00.006+11:002011-03-05T09:46:29.583+11:00Home Sweet Home.....<b style="color: #783f04;">Day 198 or so. Friday, 4 March 2011.</b> Another milestone today. PCI complete. That is practical completion inspection to the uninitiated. Translation = builder thinks your house is complete, and wants to check that you think the same way too before you are asked to cough up some more.<br />
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At first I was utterly stressed, thinking that our PCI was earlier in the week, that turned out to be a pre-PCI and today was the real deal. Our good, kind and patient SS wanted to make sure that his vociferous naggety customer got a chance to check the place twice over, which was really nice of him.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT700OPlvE6wwXjreq4dTifK2PFGSQKuJxax920GuydViypwrHoa52DvIhGAPvoF3LhsDg07Nhb5VvYaRsZ-Hx2BLE0aHBcRePHgTFf9CnU5aTgM383ofkK8odRwG8mGhver3Qyta3p4n1/s1600/IMG_1311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT700OPlvE6wwXjreq4dTifK2PFGSQKuJxax920GuydViypwrHoa52DvIhGAPvoF3LhsDg07Nhb5VvYaRsZ-Hx2BLE0aHBcRePHgTFf9CnU5aTgM383ofkK8odRwG8mGhver3Qyta3p4n1/s320/IMG_1311.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #783f04;">Main door all painted - kinda like it!!</span></b></td></tr>
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Lots of little things found their way to the list that must be rectified before handover, the biggest being that the builders of the neighbours next door decided that it might be fun to cut away a little soil under our garage. And then get their site cut to cross over the boundary line for good measure. They were supposed to rectify it but naaah, that wasn't a priority. After all, footy's back on TV and Charlie Sheen is kicking up a storm taking pot shots at Hugh Hefner on Twitter. All much more interesting than putting in concrete underpinning for our garage. A flurry of phone calls ensued and the folk at the other builder were left in no doubt about what I thought about the whole situation. Soft spoken I might be, but a pushover I am not. They will get started on remediation quick-smart - Tuesday this week I'm told.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #783f04;">Side view, fence to be fixed</b></td></tr>
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Anyhow, long and short of it is I love our house. Just absolutely love it. Carpet is in and its a lovely chocolatey brown that contrasts with the cream tiles. The splashback is a stunner and my oven, oh my oven! I was told that it would be a commercial oven, so yeah whatever I thought. But when I saw it - <span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #783f04;">OMG</span></b></span>. That lovely cast iron top, the huge huge space to chuck in a couple of turkeys & their pals, that oven.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #783f04;">Timber bi-fold doors - all stained now :) </b></td></tr>
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The main door has turned out alright as well. I was a bit doubtful about that one, but it fits right in. The independent building inspection is complete too, and their work has left me in no doubt that they are independent indeed. One of the things they requested for is the soil to be levelled around the house which saves DH a lot of hard manual labour and me a lot of gentle coaxing. I think DH will be eternally grateful for that and so will I (thanks guys!).<br />
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Okay so things I learned about building. For those who read this blog just cause you love me, you can skip it, but for those are building this may be worth a read:<br />
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<b>1. Research, research & research.</b> Every bit helps. Make copious notes and refer back to them. Choose your builder carefully - <a href="http://www.productreview.com.au/%20">http://www.productreview.com.au/ </a>is a good site for reviews. BACV can also tell you whether your builder has any cases against them.<br />
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<b>2. </b><b>Just as one is not a prime number, no is not an answer</b>. Keep asking for things you want. If you get shrugged off ask again. One mistake I made is taking no for the final answer. I could have got the garage extended, site cut further and the porch slabbed if I had just thought to ask. Those little digger thing-a-ma-jings are hideously expensive to hire even if their drivers make it look like fun.<br />
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<b>3. Keep all paperwork. </b>Even the ones your salesperson scribbled some numbers on. It saved me heaps cause I could prove that the amount quoted at sales was different to quotes at tender.<br />
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<b>4. Take on Sherlock for the duration of your build</b>. Quite simply Watson, check everything at every stage. Defects are easily rectified early on. Slab down - check your pipes, frame up, check locations of all niches/doors/windows. You get the picture.<br />
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<b>5. Your SS is your new best friend.</b> Really. Invite him to dinners, sleep overs and the party at Nonna's house. He's the only link between the tradies who want to just get the job done, and you who want the job done well.<br />
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<b>6. Home One (<a href="http://www.homeone.com.au/">www.homeone.com.au</a>) </b>- a great resource with some good people to give you advice when you need it. BACV is also a good port of call (<a href="http://www.buildingcommission.com.au/">http://www.buildingcommission.com.au/</a>) .<br />
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<b>7. PCI</b> - here's a site with checklists you can print off - <a href="http://www.anewhouse.com.au/">www.anewhouse.com.au</a><br />
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<b>8. Double your build time</b>, if you think you'll be in by Christmas, it will probably be next Christmas. Sparky, brickies and tradies need holidays, y'know. And the weather's been chucking a few tantrums of late. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipeN6O6Bpjux_o6v972ZYp4FXHJSgGZNK8aBFu3hcCvDK6fykvx0lgkM9yCWklC04vA4yHXAC1uuZmOvqHYYf4o8ygh-pDxm5UdJT2krtr1VQFznsBhjNIvjlFIGv2Z-uigNRv4XF-82Z/s1600/IMG_1295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipeN6O6Bpjux_o6v972ZYp4FXHJSgGZNK8aBFu3hcCvDK6fykvx0lgkM9yCWklC04vA4yHXAC1uuZmOvqHYYf4o8ygh-pDxm5UdJT2krtr1VQFznsBhjNIvjlFIGv2Z-uigNRv4XF-82Z/s320/IMG_1295.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #783f04;">Carpets on - just love em lights</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Thats all I can think of for now. I reckon I've aged ten years in the last two, and my SS has probably aged five. I'll give him full marks for being polite and cheerful right to the dot. Which means I must say PD has decided to replace all the loos in the house as they were 'used'. Brownie points to them too for their attitude to customer service. Its been a long rough road (partly due to the previous builder), but the end results seem worth it. Absolutely love the house and today after a good three hours there, you know what, it felt like......home....Karmazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338448040047470051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336048941219072718.post-64419136652719422862011-02-27T20:52:00.004+11:002011-02-27T22:38:20.320+11:00The Home Stretch<b style="color: #783f04;">Day 192 or so, Saturday, 26 February 2011.</b> Today was the first time in a very long time that we didn't go to our "copperty" i.e. property - the way the two year old pronounces it. Too busy mowing lawns (thats me), and painting decks (DH after a bit more gentle coaxing) and bouncing on the trampoline (them rugrats). But we did go yesterday and t'was a sight for sore eyes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOiCiZzWsn44zWKXpkVchPKQpGAgF_-8HzyuGN88uqi-HsmfWVszgBIxXvgFRyBe0Sgh4zzEiz_GCiTRV_BRarhOJdZQostkdJBtaUqWmdHd6stSjp_M7KxBZaK8Bh1RoOfVXMNE91dcC/s1600/IMG_1252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOiCiZzWsn44zWKXpkVchPKQpGAgF_-8HzyuGN88uqi-HsmfWVszgBIxXvgFRyBe0Sgh4zzEiz_GCiTRV_BRarhOJdZQostkdJBtaUqWmdHd6stSjp_M7KxBZaK8Bh1RoOfVXMNE91dcC/s320/IMG_1252.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #783f04;">Almost done!! Entry doors still to be painted though....</b></td></tr>
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<ul><li>The big one - toilets fixed! </li>
<li>Another big one - carpets in! </li>
<li>A third big one - balcony all done! </li>
</ul><br />
And yes the laundry all neat and tidy too, tiles fixed and grout done. One thing I will give our builders credit and full marks for is that the "finish" of all the work they have done so far has been excellent. On par with the display homes which defintely says something. The paint is neat, brickwork is fantastic, and the carpenter deserves an award. Not sure how he'd like sashaying down the red carpet but his work is good and he's a top notch bloke too. Him and our SS (site supervisor). <br />
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There are a few bit and bumps here like the carpets look a little more work is needed and maybe I'm jumping the gun here cause the 'carpeteers' may well be back on Monday to tidy up. A bit of plasterboard chipped here and there and the exhaust fan sounds as wheezy as I do at the moment. These should all be rectified early this week.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwO0taD7lN3TvQ6RnXYzQiBoGIq3Ycsij7yQ2B_Q9HO1EQOrWhsbjXbf19oizKIccv9YnAEnfnj8mgCCSZ9biPm7iZ_K7J9k2uCqq-gsFAm4VHWVcU_NTkInHtWvfEXLqXWuEYQ47XsBlS/s1600/IMG_1255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwO0taD7lN3TvQ6RnXYzQiBoGIq3Ycsij7yQ2B_Q9HO1EQOrWhsbjXbf19oizKIccv9YnAEnfnj8mgCCSZ9biPm7iZ_K7J9k2uCqq-gsFAm4VHWVcU_NTkInHtWvfEXLqXWuEYQ47XsBlS/s320/IMG_1255.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #783f04;">Garage - a little more work needed here too. Door to be installed for one.</span></b></td></tr>
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The master bedroom lights are a little niggle because my idea was to have these nice hanging lights on each side of the bed over the bedside tables like they did in one of the display homes. In theory, the lights were to be there so I can do some night reading (ha! like them kids will let me). Anyhow the sparky's had plans better laid than mine and brought the lights forward so now they'll be shining closer to my midriff (which doesnt really deserve a spotlight) and there goes my idea of being tucked away with a good book in bed.<br />
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The positions in the plans kind of showed where we wanted them but anyhow - its an easy enough error to make and I cant expect them to read our minds. It would have been nice to get them moved but thats been shot down faster than you could say Jack Splat. I think we may have to swap them over for downlights, which should look kinda cool. Or maybe some fancy lights that focus elsewhere. Hmmmm....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQyttLWd4KmTIAkuFD4rdlQd8oYA0Ek9rNJsmbyjhzzMVYYaEGtm1XpOtym7X46pRpzgKAQXjLusJuekURg_vlhp5uQu93KhNl-wmfimP8u-ck-Rrj-79_WLBTZWHjycwHcwdSIo44Y5H/s1600/IMG_0644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQyttLWd4KmTIAkuFD4rdlQd8oYA0Ek9rNJsmbyjhzzMVYYaEGtm1XpOtym7X46pRpzgKAQXjLusJuekURg_vlhp5uQu93KhNl-wmfimP8u-ck-Rrj-79_WLBTZWHjycwHcwdSIo44Y5H/s320/IMG_0644.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #783f04;">Totally random....my four year old's work of art!</span><span style="color: #274e13;"> Picasso you reckon?</span></b></td></tr>
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Okay so news now. This is "<b><span style="color: #274e13;">the week</span></b>." Our SS says we'll have a walkthrough on Monday, external inspections in on Monday/Tuesday and then a few days to rectify the issues that they find. The keys might be ready later in the week and we *<b>might</b>* then move in.<br />
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The SS also reassures us that our mortar is indeed off white. Okay so I will take his word for it, sometimes its easier to give in. Just sometimes, though my dearest Aunt Ivy would not be happy to hear me say that. The rickshaw wallahs quake in fear each time she deigns to travel - they dare not diddle her out of a naya paise (red cent) more than the fare that is displayed on the crotchety old meters. Else she hauls them off by the ear to the nearest police station while casting rather colourful aspersions on the characters of their forefathers, fathers, sisters, brothers and pets. See I might just be a chip of the old block, but not quite.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqfKkoyC1QWHD1UyuWpxGMNPJhv_abcu8ZeH0m3L_eJK0ue8tRlHt6mbzCUV-SKSf17YSu7uvH3I3RwDPU9TpIwKAcSCCnomtCJblzaQSdoBIdbjhZpUUww2Ek4St-Uj7v6HxOkAV_jDv/s1600/IMG_1251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqfKkoyC1QWHD1UyuWpxGMNPJhv_abcu8ZeH0m3L_eJK0ue8tRlHt6mbzCUV-SKSf17YSu7uvH3I3RwDPU9TpIwKAcSCCnomtCJblzaQSdoBIdbjhZpUUww2Ek4St-Uj7v6HxOkAV_jDv/s320/IMG_1251.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #783f04;">Jarrah bricks with "off white mortar" turned out great eventually....</b></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Its still all a bit unreal to me. Two years of building seems like a lifetime.I think I'll have to pinch myself to see if I'm dreaming at the end of it all.Our much harried SS will probably breathe a sigh of relief once we move in, I haven't been the easiest of customers. He's been good all through though, really patient which is good. At the end of the day, all I want is a well built home with everything as per the contract we signed. No more and no less.<br />
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Looks like we are on the home stretch now.....Karmazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338448040047470051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336048941219072718.post-78219287420226911072011-02-23T21:58:00.002+11:002011-02-24T23:51:10.079+11:00A Mighty Stink<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><b style="color: #783f04;">Day 189, Wednesday, 23 February 2011</b>. Things were moving along just dandy - or so we thought. Thats when we realised that something was stinking. Literally. Turns out that the toilets arent flushing as they should and any water in the pipes causes a sewage overflow right in front of our brand spanking new house.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24SXo-HDyT74uOfBZTL3n5fCXI1xJfpxnqNhvFIfltp1MPvAtmqveLkQbGc3bph1uKJwcVu2I7wOJF6udDsCFhNipz4Labe8rjr0u0X8haGTjUJjZtQun5fHjuzeLQ1V_GL5yvXOfxmcN/s1600/IMG_1240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24SXo-HDyT74uOfBZTL3n5fCXI1xJfpxnqNhvFIfltp1MPvAtmqveLkQbGc3bph1uKJwcVu2I7wOJF6udDsCFhNipz4Labe8rjr0u0X8haGTjUJjZtQun5fHjuzeLQ1V_GL5yvXOfxmcN/s320/IMG_1240.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #783f04;">Lovely toilets, pity they don't flush :(</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Yuck is a polite way to put it. Health hazards aside I'm not impressed. Our good SS assures us that the plumbers will be out to fix it, and they'd better fix it pronto cause we wont be moving into a house where the toilets dont flush anytime soon. Then today, another surprise and not a pleasant one.The much loved Portaloo in front of our house was missing. Now there's heaps of work to be done still - garage doors to go in, carpets to go in, balcony to go in, plumbers to come and fix the stink. Put two and two together and guess whose loos get used?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpX4SYb1TBo9KLuuoKZzNN9AGE6vw3yFtUPMDpyAQQFkK8SbhZIlZ5FekXyhVFvuw_MIr3uqh2uTZG1qyd_L1MlaSdJhNJveTaTAs69WxUuJ6jtrruEcffMUqNfd1YbWkkUdW4kLPLRZFp/s1600/IMG_1226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpX4SYb1TBo9KLuuoKZzNN9AGE6vw3yFtUPMDpyAQQFkK8SbhZIlZ5FekXyhVFvuw_MIr3uqh2uTZG1qyd_L1MlaSdJhNJveTaTAs69WxUuJ6jtrruEcffMUqNfd1YbWkkUdW4kLPLRZFp/s320/IMG_1226.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #783f04;">Laundry....almost there</span></b></td></tr>
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Now I'm generally quite reasonable (even when I have the flu) but when you pay for a brand new house with brand new loos, thats what I want. Not "as new". Brand new. So I'm not in the least bit happy. That and the mortar niggle is still on. Going to speak to the SS tomorrow and lets see what happens next.<br />
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D day is supposed to be sometime next week, but right now I'm not holding my breath. May still happen, but still may not.Karmazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338448040047470051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336048941219072718.post-49236623549259342812011-02-16T21:18:00.005+11:002011-02-18T15:47:25.637+11:00Them tiles and an investigation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="color: #783f04;"><b></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04;"><b>Day 182. Wednesday 16 February 2011.</b></span> For all those who asked, here are details of our tile selection:<br />
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<ul><li>The floor tiles are Portfino, Coastal IVORIO Gloss 400x400.</li>
<li>Ensuite (Bath1) tiles are Portfino, Coastal Matt, IVORIO Satin 400x400.</li>
<li>Ensuite shower tiles are Portfino, Coastal , IVORIO Gloss 400x400.</li>
<li>Bath 2 and 3 tiles are Portfino - FA04 Plateau Matt 400x400 Grigio Satin</li>
<li>Shower tiles in Bath 1 and 2 are - Portifino - Plateau Grigio Gloss 400x400 </li>
</ul><div></div><br />
Matt tiles on the floor, gloss on the walls, one set of tiles for zone 1 (downstairs), one set of tiles for zone 2 (upstairs) - thats the general rule I made up and then followed. Thanks for asking though, it just validates our selections.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lcSmXfyYvIU8s9ZJ8fOFxgJCB7JwMxRrHSMkz__wvWOvw-Zias8QrPx9pg1z54MwNffU8At0x1JgAWBCLcE7E3mW0e7cf01W1FXOQJGYUlFmks2rAKaBnQ0uwdJsXpUbuigZgq856lUs/s1600/IMG_1186.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lcSmXfyYvIU8s9ZJ8fOFxgJCB7JwMxRrHSMkz__wvWOvw-Zias8QrPx9pg1z54MwNffU8At0x1JgAWBCLcE7E3mW0e7cf01W1FXOQJGYUlFmks2rAKaBnQ0uwdJsXpUbuigZgq856lUs/s320/IMG_1186.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #783f04;">Look, no fences!! On a wet rainy Melbourne day.</b></td></tr>
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The pouring rain didnt stop us from visiting today. The sparkys have been busy - lights are all in and barring a few misfixes which I hope our SS can help resolve, it looks all really good. They have done a pretty neat job. Love the stairwell lights, I baulked as we were way over budget but DH coaxed me into getting them. Lets say, I'm glad he did. They will look even better when the carpets are in.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuN6ZhynQN1akzJwUgezQOL6T1oLCJQzWN767vq1PO4lpOA1d4ktj0XQrO-IggDBY43g0P83IDnQsVQIfMe5Wt4V2n4x2O_t7biPSX6z1YB1UTZAMjVamCtIZmal7xKwBuviwN4kJpcjS/s1600/IMG_1180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuN6ZhynQN1akzJwUgezQOL6T1oLCJQzWN767vq1PO4lpOA1d4ktj0XQrO-IggDBY43g0P83IDnQsVQIfMe5Wt4V2n4x2O_t7biPSX6z1YB1UTZAMjVamCtIZmal7xKwBuviwN4kJpcjS/s320/IMG_1180.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #783f04;">Stairwell lights - love em!</b><br />
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</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwM807x3zXS-F_rJQgceYuUh5bXJeaFNVVpsQXPGmo7rUQ5lnd-Cem0yj4cXsms_LOw86SMP0dFID5l5mq4cao4VZw0vKla-6MuKWGg25C_U4mzyovCrgbjzxxQRhAeKPZqxIKJQag3-s/s1600/IMG_1182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwM807x3zXS-F_rJQgceYuUh5bXJeaFNVVpsQXPGmo7rUQ5lnd-Cem0yj4cXsms_LOw86SMP0dFID5l5mq4cao4VZw0vKla-6MuKWGg25C_U4mzyovCrgbjzxxQRhAeKPZqxIKJQag3-s/s320/IMG_1182.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #783f04;">Downlights in too. Me like.</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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There's just one niggle right now. The Building Manager mentioned that our "natural mortar" looks great. Hmmmm....wait a minute. Its "off-white" we paid a fancy amount to upgrade to, wasnt it? I had a few second thoughts when I saw the mortar earlier on in the piece, but we were assured that it was off white and the colour would show up. That said, the Building Manager would have seen heaps of sites and its unlikely he's far off the mark. Now is it natural or off-white? I'm off to investigate.Karmazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338448040047470051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336048941219072718.post-35996316125566925292011-02-15T18:28:00.003+11:002011-02-15T19:24:08.335+11:00We have a date!<span style="color: #783f04;"><strong>Day 180. Monday 14 February 2011</strong></span>. We have a date! Not the kind of one you would expect on Valentine’s Day. Seeing as I have one of the busiest months ahead at work the organised part of me wanted to find out when we’d get our house. And we have a date! Our good SS was a bit hesitant and finally came out with it. <strong><span style="color: #274e13;">4 March 2011</span></strong>. Woo hoo!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpSI8KI87ZcM3E5A9N1ZtPSJfzvSfmYi3_URcuzPJFZwaowupuU3_VH4aT2RmO9FB2Q6ktYZOPUKVsOEfAN1mnPdrkgk9SP8yCVzWf15ACnrz__r8huKz6o1rSu2q7fqWxI62ItOyYN8_l/s1600/IMG_1131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpSI8KI87ZcM3E5A9N1ZtPSJfzvSfmYi3_URcuzPJFZwaowupuU3_VH4aT2RmO9FB2Q6ktYZOPUKVsOEfAN1mnPdrkgk9SP8yCVzWf15ACnrz__r8huKz6o1rSu2q7fqWxI62ItOyYN8_l/s320/IMG_1131.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #783f04;">Above counter basins with mixers in the ensuite</span></strong></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6exVQmWpV09H2_Br2fkE_5U2M91hYut_K-qjdTTZhV0YwCcf8aCfiGzzIzWgCBnjhLGrRqqkC1kVBarEdjQVjgRt3gTkpTkH-8aMfnZxAB0mYx8WS8wCE2CmIVMPYoUZIaP8I9Vr4liZ/s1600/IMG_1127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6exVQmWpV09H2_Br2fkE_5U2M91hYut_K-qjdTTZhV0YwCcf8aCfiGzzIzWgCBnjhLGrRqqkC1kVBarEdjQVjgRt3gTkpTkH-8aMfnZxAB0mYx8WS8wCE2CmIVMPYoUZIaP8I9Vr4liZ/s320/IMG_1127.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><strong>Above counter basin with mixer in the powder room</strong></span></td></tr>
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I’m feeling a bit like the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland. You know that part where he goes “I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date! No time to say hello, goodbye! I'm late, I'm late, I'm late!” There’s so much to do, I’m starting to sprout even more greys. Pack the toys, pack the clothes, pack pack pack. Get this house ready and organise stuff for the next one. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #783f04;">Double kitchen sink with pull out veggie sprayer. Love this one!</span></strong></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><strong>The sprayer from another angle, the spout pulls out like a hose to wash dishes and icky little fingers</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04;"><strong> - can you tell how much I love it???</strong></span></td></tr>
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We couldn’t resist dropping by today and were well rewarded. So much has happened – its incredible! Bath tub in, door handles in, rain showers in, front temp fence gone (a sure sign that construction is almost done), toilets in, grout complete, down pipes in, above counter sinks with taps in….amazing! All looks fantastic except for those Manor Red downpipes. I wanted them in Paperbark (a light cream colour) but the developers wanted them in red. One battle I gave in. And I don’t like them one bit. Anyhow, I guess I’ll ignore them for a while and maybe get used to their colour in time.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #783f04;">Bath 2 now has a rainshower - tapware also in!</span></strong></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #783f04;">Bath 3 with rainshower</span></strong></td></tr>
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We also met our building manager, who came across as really nice. The kind of hands on person you’d want to watch over your build. Speaking of nice people, our SS has been terrific too. Easy access to the site, approachable and always returns calls. Excellent customer skills and good at his job too. Not that I've been the easiest of customers, but you kinda want what you paid for, especially when its such a big financial and emotional investment. The building manager confirmed what our SS told us, 4 March 2011 is our date and he looked me in the eye when he said. Means business he does – and I like that. <br />
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Didnt get much else for heart's day from DH, he reckons our two little roses were enough. That they went to sleep early for a change, was an added bonus. After a dozen odd years of wedded bliss (!) all this progress and the tangible excitement is enough for me.<br />
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At the rate things are moving, we just *<span style="color: #444444;"><strong>might</strong></span>*make the deadline. That would be<em> <strong>super-cali-fragilistic-expi-ali-docious</strong></em> to borrow a phrase. Hope your Valentine's day was as special as mine.Karmazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338448040047470051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336048941219072718.post-5514912220137333692011-02-10T20:30:00.003+11:002011-02-10T20:48:20.630+11:00The Plan<div class="ecxMsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #783f04;">Day 176. Wednesday, 10 February 2011</span></b>. DH wanted three rows of tiles on our kitchen splashback and so I spoke to our SS today. He’s quite nice, all things considered. Seems that there aren’t enough tiles so two will have to do. I take back all the things I said about the black splashback in the kitchen, everyone seems to love it so maybe that was a good decision after all. And the splashback near the sink, pictured below matches it too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #783f04;">Kitchen splashback near sink</span></b></td></tr>
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</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal">The other thing that is bothering me is the colour of the front door. We *<span style="color: #783f04;">thought</span>* we upgraded to a different timber finish front door but Hopetoun thought we’d upgraded differently. Happy with the door type, not sure about the colour. It’s a hideous green now, in preparation for painting. The colour we chose is Deep Indian Red. I hope that matches the bricks, it’s the closest we could get given that the bricks have tones in them. SS assures us that it does look good with these bricks, DH is a believer, and I’m just a little sceptical. Will reserve judgement till the painters are done and dusted. </div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal">As is my wont, I asked the SS for an update. Here it is:</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><ul><li><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>Tilers finish today</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>Sparky’s in next week</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>Concreters come in to fill in hole in the slab where PD forgot to put in additional drain pipes next week for the trusty washing machine that we have used for ten years now</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>Plumbers in to finish said drain pipes next week, hope trusty washing machine realises how much it is valued and does not pack up after all this effort</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>Also hope that the said plumbers finish up the rest of the showers and sinks too</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>Carpeteers (made up that word, what else do you call people who fix carpets?) in next week. From memory, the carpet is a dark chocolate colour and should bring a warm touch to the bedrooms and theatre/rumpus room</li>
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</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal">After all of that its just a few fiddly bits here and there, and we should be on the home stretch. Its been such a long journey that I’ll have to get my kids to stomp all over my feet to see if I’m dreaming at the end of it. </div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #783f04;">Cockatoos chillin out @ the wetlands</span></b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #783f04;">Exersite @ the Range</b><b><span style="color: #783f04;"> - instructions to use bench below</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeSuBVe1jtmOXeE5EoNWjsEDb9alm2HMFceQ1PGJn5ngEX88GbxFyL5Q7Yy6ey5JlJrMMfL5OaHwmzcrttJYjLvVjEvdJO9HiamPbM4GlFK8zvKB09CZSFg4-VXCKqwSntngkiuhEgUUF/s1600/IMG_0813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeSuBVe1jtmOXeE5EoNWjsEDb9alm2HMFceQ1PGJn5ngEX88GbxFyL5Q7Yy6ey5JlJrMMfL5OaHwmzcrttJYjLvVjEvdJO9HiamPbM4GlFK8zvKB09CZSFg4-VXCKqwSntngkiuhEgUUF/s320/IMG_0813.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #783f04;">Bench below</span></b></td></tr>
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</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal">Once we are in there is still plenty to be done. Driveways, fencing and blinds are my top three. Then landscaping comes a close fourth, unless I want that sticky clay all over my carpets courtesy of the imps. They know how to muck up a house before you can say splat! Must be a boy thing. I remember being relatively neat and tidy though my mum might dispute that as a figment of imagination. Boarding school taught us to be generally neat with cupboards open for inspection and prefects who couldn’t be bribed. And being hauled up in front of a none too sympathetic matron. Punishment included missing the lone episode of TV on Wednesdays or Sundays for most girls, for me it was being banned from the library. Those were the days!</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal">Back to all things building, and I’m looking at retaining walls now. Not really my expertise but I think the <a href="http://www.australbricks.com.au/vic/Products/Masonry-Blocks-Retaining-Walls">Austral bricks interlocking system</a> might mean DH can skip his network gaming and do a bit of handy work in the backyard. Tradies must retire at twenty three as multi-millionaires, what with those rates. I should have skipped the post grad degree and picked up a hammer, would have been living the high life by now. Anyhoo, things are moving along. And it’s all good. </div>Karmazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338448040047470051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336048941219072718.post-35321348395929272922011-02-08T21:40:00.004+11:002011-02-08T22:10:54.528+11:00Life is sweet!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><strong><span style="color: #783f04;">Day 174. Tuesday, 8 February 2011. </span></strong>Sometimes that stubborn Scorpion streak shows up when I need it most (can still picture mum askin who would ever marry me, ahem!). I called Building Conciliation Victoria, and they confirmed what I thought. Its just the contract and only the contract that stands. <strong><span style="color: #274e13;">205 days, 10 March 2011.</span></strong> And then the manager at PD called and verbally confirmed that too, followed by written confirmation. Thank you for coming to the party PD. What more could a girl ask for!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><strong>Garage et al!</strong></span></td></tr>
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Meanwhile the house has been a hive of activity. The painters were in last week and have done an absolutely superb job. Neat and the colours look fantastic. Cream coloured walls, white ceilings, cream porcelain tiles with a bit of character which makes the house look light and airy. And big. Happy days! Between you and me and the world wide web, I think DH is more thrilled than I am. I’m chuffed but he’s on a different plane altogether. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><strong>The lounge, and my bi-fold doors! Imp on the outside.</strong></span></td></tr>
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The garage roof went up on 7 February 2011 too, that’s a biggie that makes the house look even better. The tilers were in at the end of last week, and I’m loving how its all coming together. Its pretty tough to pick colours off a few samples and imagine how it will all look in a big house but I think we’ve managed with more hits than misses, and that’s all good in my books. The feature tiles in all the bathrooms are worth the big bucks that were spent on them; they’ve come out swinging in style. The rainshower heads will be the final touch I reckon. Will be hard to drag them kids outta the bath - and might be easier to get DH to take one too. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><strong>Feature tiles for Bath 1 (ensuite) and powder room</strong></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKz34yriDsqtg3frWASF2-0d9TOjkUCdyjUttdC5dM3HzND_1DGiDEXvwPdywEEEa9ShJgPK100i8i3cutEFHGXIIjTijac4iq5dH110P1PzkfM_Bv97khmvqP79yQfflIepkgaCJeXXwT/s1600/IMG_0927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKz34yriDsqtg3frWASF2-0d9TOjkUCdyjUttdC5dM3HzND_1DGiDEXvwPdywEEEa9ShJgPK100i8i3cutEFHGXIIjTijac4iq5dH110P1PzkfM_Bv97khmvqP79yQfflIepkgaCJeXXwT/s200/IMG_0927.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><strong>Feature tiles for Bath 2 and 3</strong></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDuVi6VEzKYPmPcUUbPm-I7bRdTLp26_lzsuQR5abtYCzlHdKRFQEIYFBKBlqXurLFfErap8Zkj7NnKzMS6o4WxwqsW5DV8JtejtWYDtxozPqC1UMxhlzYLcEPSnyHaGAMgoCsK02xbm6/s1600/IMG_1036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDuVi6VEzKYPmPcUUbPm-I7bRdTLp26_lzsuQR5abtYCzlHdKRFQEIYFBKBlqXurLFfErap8Zkj7NnKzMS6o4WxwqsW5DV8JtejtWYDtxozPqC1UMxhlzYLcEPSnyHaGAMgoCsK02xbm6/s320/IMG_1036.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><strong>Bath 2 - awaiting a tub</strong></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0emqpFybjinBOhgAUnvlIj0B1dx4fMfhUs27G8zGc9mWTkYK8d5J3_9yV9BsK29UfMLudLxU_vDD6_N1TXFQSkybZslztP9MKHzdIlJWECpdaOqNV9d1TGYjQhC6oIiXGuPX62hn0-sbh/s1600/IMG_1040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0emqpFybjinBOhgAUnvlIj0B1dx4fMfhUs27G8zGc9mWTkYK8d5J3_9yV9BsK29UfMLudLxU_vDD6_N1TXFQSkybZslztP9MKHzdIlJWECpdaOqNV9d1TGYjQhC6oIiXGuPX62hn0-sbh/s320/IMG_1040.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><strong>Bath 3....waiting on shower screens and mirrors</strong></span></td></tr>
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Yesterday’s surprise was the garage roof and the glass kitchen splashbacks all done. DH chose a black splashback, and I was in two minds when I first saw it. Second thoughts on a trip today, methinks it looks good. We’ve gone for more earthy tones right through, and the black adds a dash of bold, a swashbuckling bit of bad ass that brings a bit more colour. And then there’s my walk in / butler’s pantry. Love that room, its so full of sunlight. Can fill it with the kind of goodies I could only dream of in boarding school.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><strong>Kitchen now has a splashback!</strong></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizHi1cF7vbxVsO6uvali3ZKkaE5A9QzrloO88vzLrHZ_KW5gZvC4ioq8ARaWW89yZyCzkTzU0Q_WsiWiLkWnR2FahHEA9ibpgWQ5dQANDZnSW2Ers-g4rFf19RcD-_Z4pyu60zOaJ6Ipj/s1600/IMG_1047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizHi1cF7vbxVsO6uvali3ZKkaE5A9QzrloO88vzLrHZ_KW5gZvC4ioq8ARaWW89yZyCzkTzU0Q_WsiWiLkWnR2FahHEA9ibpgWQ5dQANDZnSW2Ers-g4rFf19RcD-_Z4pyu60zOaJ6Ipj/s320/IMG_1047.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><strong>Room for Jeeves!</strong></span></td></tr>
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At this point it does look like we may meet the deadlines so early March it may well be. Been looking for packers and movers and putting stuff in boxes. The preschoolers wants to take all his books (fair enough) and the doors of our current house (huh?). Along with that been busy getting quotes for driveways, landscaping artistes and blinds. The countdown begins….Karmazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338448040047470051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336048941219072718.post-50631680139305304152011-01-31T00:14:00.004+11:002011-01-31T12:33:43.145+11:00Double Counting Christmas<b style="color: #660000;">Day 165. Sunday, 30 January 2011.</b> Its closer now to the date we expected the house complete. The contract, you know that legal document said 212 days for construction. And given that month long delay by PD (the builders) at the start, PD agreed to reduce the build time to 205 days. Which brings us to 10 March 2010. All easy right! <br />
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Not really. Been trying to get that confirmed in writing and three weeks later an email from our administrator says PD has worked out that 6 April 2010 is D-Day. <em>WHAAAAAAAAAT?</em> Seems like a little note in the Fixed Price Tender says they can add more days for Christmas. So now while the Contract includes a 28 day allowance for Christmas, the good folk at PD want to add another 24 days for Christmas. That makes it 52 days in all.....thats one celebration that is far too long. Most parts of the world get Chrissy done and dusted in no more than three weeks. 52 days for Christmas, would I love a holiday like that! So not happy Jan. <br />
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When the site start was delayed, I was told that the Building Manager would oversee our project and they would make every effort to finish ahead of schedule. Ha! Would that ever happen? Havent spoken to the Building Manager in six months, and guess what, looks like them builders want to take every single day the contract allows them and more. <br />
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To put dates in perspective, we signed up with them in March last year and were told by the sales consultant albeit verbally that they would start in May 2010. They actually started in August 2010, a month late and now it seems an extended Christmas break is in order. There's a choice array of phrases I could borrow from Enid Blyton, but I wont just yet. One year later, we are still waiting and waiting and I can tell you our patience is being tested sorely. <i> </i><br />
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<i>Note to people building houses: </i>read all bits of paper. Even the ones they tell you to disregard, cause I'm pretty sure we were told to disregard the "Special Conditions" under the tender. There was supposedly nothing in there that would affect us.<br />
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Back to construction dates, in my humble opinion, the contract is supersedes all else, Fixed Price Tender and other bits of paper that the kids scribbled on included. Construction begins based on the contract, and so 10 March 2010 it should be in my books, and VCAT if I have to. Another battle, sigh! The house has been idle for weeks at a time, and now this is what we get. If PD actually cared, they could still finish the house on time. But its like a side show meandering on, stopping a little, starting a little and boy is it frustrating! <strong>I'm. So. Very. Annoyed. Now.</strong>Karmazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338448040047470051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336048941219072718.post-87065808323441267162011-01-22T23:46:00.009+11:002011-01-24T00:09:59.259+11:00Inching towards the home stretch<b style="color: #660000;">Saturday, 23 January 2011. Day 157. </b>Christmas came and Christmas went and all was merry and bright. The house was like an old friend we just had to visit from time to time even though we knew there wouldn't be much happening. Just to say hello, and scout around and supposedly decide on stuff like blinds, landscaping and so forth. In truth it was more to take those long meandering walks with the boys and shoot the breeze with the neighbours. As I guess we'll do when we move there.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unveiled!</td></tr>
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It was status quo till about 12 Jan 2011. Yes, Happy New Year to you too. Then, surprise, surprise, the scaffolding was down! It gave us a chance to have a good look at the house, sans metal poles and the like, a bit like the unveiling of a beyootiful work of art. Me, I was chuffed with the bricks. The cleaners were out and had given them a good scrub and mmmmm, they look good. Not a staid boring pink like someone I won't name wanted, but different tones of maroon contrasting with the off white mortar.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;">Scrubbed up too. Ignore the imp - he's up to no good.</span></td></tr>
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Since then we've been back and forth and a few more things have been done. One, the hard won four timber bi-fold doors were in. I love, love, love them. They open up the whole family room and make it so nice and bright. It would be great to leave them open on a bright sunny day BUT for one thing - <span style="color: #660000;">The Flies</span>. They are not the usual polite flies you get elsewhere that do what they have to and bugger off. These are Australian flies. They are attention-seeking humongous son-of-a-guns. They do not do what they have to and disappear, they buzz around your head with a vengeance Al Qaeda would envy. They slam dunk themselves against light fittings and against glass doors, making a sound that rivals a 2,543 watt vacuum cleaner. They are obnoxious and quite obviously haven't been to the same finishing school, other flies around the world have been to.<br />
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I don't usually hate stuff, but I do hate these flies. So much so that I think my toddler's first words were not mama or dada, but "shoo fy". He's my boy alright. Anyhow, so the long and short of it is that I'm going to have to find fly-screens to keep them out without ruining the view from those lovely doors. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;">Love em doors. Bugger off flies.</span></td></tr>
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<b>Timber doors</b>, check.<br />
<b>Architraves</b>, still waiting. Lying about on the floor and don't seem to be inclined to do much else. <br />
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<b>Laundry cabinets</b>, Check.<br />
<b>Caesarstone bench tops</b>, check. <br />
Yep, them bench tops are in. Love them too. They look great and are so easy to clean. Sticky little fingers find their way everywhere. And this is one which where I'm not going to have to worry about. Note to those who are building: 40 mm looks way better than 20mm - but functionally its all the same. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9shST-Xrc2-3VElIeo6gELeO-R6Wy9JWwPPfGaKdZ_YG4yQL_UtSdglWsAOyagwfBmhT6D9BH-zPuuoWQDPVM1Afa-mWcU_hUbmao21MblHCcrBQvi462CpFdVbXcB_Eya3M6hRB1H7u/s1600/IMG_0805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9shST-Xrc2-3VElIeo6gELeO-R6Wy9JWwPPfGaKdZ_YG4yQL_UtSdglWsAOyagwfBmhT6D9BH-zPuuoWQDPVM1Afa-mWcU_hUbmao21MblHCcrBQvi462CpFdVbXcB_Eya3M6hRB1H7u/s320/IMG_0805.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;">The preschooler christened this " The Grumpy Old Tree". No idea why. Bald and toothless perhaps??</span></td></tr>
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The garage is supposed to get a roof next week. The painters are supposed to be in next week. No idea when and if the chippies (carpenters) will be there, but they may as well come over too, seeing as the whole gang will be there, a post Christmas tradies reunion of sorts. Goodness knows, I'd be happy to sponsor a tandoori chicken or two, if they just worked quick smart.<br />
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After that its the tilers and then I'm guessing the electricians and plumbers to put in the finishing touches. Meanwhile I should get off my proverbial and get some landscapers in too. The neighbours have started building and access to our backyard with a bobcat might be, well, a little tricky. DH has some wonderful visions of what he'd like. Me, I thrive on reality. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;">The wetlands. Heaps of cheeky cockatoos and the ducks have survived Christmas too. They're in hiding.</span></td></tr>
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At this stage, we are told that we are on track for March. With the help of my trusty pal Google and a few nifty calculator tools, I reckon its early March or someone will have to start chipping in. Been trying to get the dates confirmed by the admin in the builder's office, but it seems to be a bit too hard to pin down.<br />
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Anyhow, with a bit of luck and a lot of good weather, early March it will be. Stay tuned....Karmazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338448040047470051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336048941219072718.post-19350247228954619722010-12-30T06:17:00.006+11:002010-12-30T23:42:45.581+11:00Strawberrylicious<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #660000;"><strong>Wednesday, 30 December 2010. Day 134. </strong></span>Even though you know and we know there’s no one doing anything remotely constructive around the house, the elf in me still wants to check. And lucky we did so – the ensuite has sprung a leak. Now this actually happened in early December and our good SS assured us that it was all fixed. Nope it wasn’t. Cause the plasterboard is all wet and if it looks like water, and sounds like water – it must be…water. Pure genius that!</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;">The reserve....oh so pretty!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So I called our builders. Nobody answered. Instead, I got an answering machine that told me to ring someone else. Now I don’t like being told off by anybody, especially machines. Anyhow tis the season to be jolly, and so I called the plumber and he said yeah he will have a look, and hopefully he does, cause the naughty corner is vacant at the moment. Kids have been on their best behaviour of late, the pre-schooler is waiting for “baby Jesus’s second birthday” (read that as next Christmas) now that the first birthday he can recall is over. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This whole answering machine business is a bit strange too. You’d think one of the biggest volume builder conglomerates could keep one person to handle customer service during the holidays, given that most houses are not aware that its silly season and usually get up to no good when nobody’s there to check on them. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGE6EFPIlZ15ws7vmjcejifCeBOdlpsOoP8luLpfrf3Mlwf7y2Eij3bI_s7EL-nNJ1jepe6UBE9DSxR9G1rMCA6swz4U3CK3wSAqvufOAk_VjvyXjBCI8wpXN2sEB_lW_y0cxCLt2YmsOp/s1600/IMG_0128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGE6EFPIlZ15ws7vmjcejifCeBOdlpsOoP8luLpfrf3Mlwf7y2Eij3bI_s7EL-nNJ1jepe6UBE9DSxR9G1rMCA6swz4U3CK3wSAqvufOAk_VjvyXjBCI8wpXN2sEB_lW_y0cxCLt2YmsOp/s320/IMG_0128.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;">Strawberrylicious!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">One thing is for sure. Each time we visit, I just love the bricks we’ve chosen even more. It reminds me of a delicious smooth strawberry sundae, with heaps of whipped cream, and a cherry on top. And at this time of the year, calories don’t count. At least I like to think so.</span>Karmazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338448040047470051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336048941219072718.post-84627985474451894702010-12-24T22:09:00.004+11:002011-01-20T14:40:21.894+11:00Of Cabinets and Unwarranted Invoices. And A Merry Christmas to you too!<b><span style="color: #660000;">Wednesday, 23 December 2010.</span></b> DH rang to say an invoice arrived in the mail. Some big bucks to be paid for the Fixing stage which was supposedly complete. Now coming from a background where we counted our pennies carefully and made sure we got what was paid for (no more and no less), the super sleuth decided lets check before we cough up. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh524za48lRzWTUpu8TrdY-Kr6dvHrnr1EZMiCJ3uxbKfMJzO8rHXVOMq9RzeZZUramCC_ENTlQMvKckwdKkuuVLRZfPuEUkYgkfWw74hqfB-u5SmGk-vmVub5G8gGzqRJWtp6muoYP4xbw/s1600/IMG_0294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh524za48lRzWTUpu8TrdY-Kr6dvHrnr1EZMiCJ3uxbKfMJzO8rHXVOMq9RzeZZUramCC_ENTlQMvKckwdKkuuVLRZfPuEUkYgkfWw74hqfB-u5SmGk-vmVub5G8gGzqRJWtp6muoYP4xbw/s320/IMG_0294.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our home, from a distance....</td></tr>
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So the snotty kids *yep, they got colds just before Christmas* were bundled in the car and off a sleuthing we did go. Only to find yes, there were cabinets there and a couple of sinks too but by no stretch of the imagination was “fixing” complete. For one, the laundry cabinets are missing, and then the architraves are only half done in the theatre and then all the sinks aren’t in too. As for shelving, it doesn’t exist. Yet. It is like the chippie decided half way through the job that he’d be better off doing some Christmas shopping for Great Aunt Hepsibah. Just cause he likes her knitted cardigans with Chip or Dale inscribed on the front, so much. That kind of designing you don’t find in any of the stores. D&G take a hike.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGAIltwdZFhe6eLLxtlpfp5JBO7SAW4A-1KtOTgqdDTuAPD1q3sEGm3tLO5XcZuM2ke0TsAi2GDdo8q7B6YuVMqvfVRcu4PA7jCfIbwqIkrdut90Ev8rLFMucK3u9ZtdQAAt8DYbie03m/s1600/IMG_0285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGAIltwdZFhe6eLLxtlpfp5JBO7SAW4A-1KtOTgqdDTuAPD1q3sEGm3tLO5XcZuM2ke0TsAi2GDdo8q7B6YuVMqvfVRcu4PA7jCfIbwqIkrdut90Ev8rLFMucK3u9ZtdQAAt8DYbie03m/s320/IMG_0285.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kitchen cabinets, love the space!</td></tr>
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One thing is for sure. The Accounts department is super efficient. They must hire the fastest guns in the country, for before you can say “Merry Christmas” there’s an invoice on your doorstep, for work that hasn’t been done. Impressive, not.<br />
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Anyhoo, that invoice isn’t going to get paid until the chippies and their friends get off the bottles of good cheer and finish what they are supposed to. Whether they wear Great Aunt Hepsibah’s colourful cardigans or not.<br />
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Enough said. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLP4WlP1Bgg14fmY8NxA1cK2VvinKIxbDUlkCWVkU57OhPLO9Vum4wmza-3wDr23J_HDtEwGkRmvN5aaHHYqehuwgGy8WoccpcKYopUUMk6EDy5Vpm1KBJsWmTrAbxcvrfh9oS8V84ola/s1600/IMG_0282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLP4WlP1Bgg14fmY8NxA1cK2VvinKIxbDUlkCWVkU57OhPLO9Vum4wmza-3wDr23J_HDtEwGkRmvN5aaHHYqehuwgGy8WoccpcKYopUUMk6EDy5Vpm1KBJsWmTrAbxcvrfh9oS8V84ola/s320/IMG_0282.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our ensuite, think of how much I can store in here!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: #cc0000;">May your Christmas be Merry and your New Year be bright.</span> <span style="color: #274e13;">Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year all!! </span></i></b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Karmazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338448040047470051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336048941219072718.post-51156693138832858382010-12-16T19:37:00.004+11:002010-12-19T20:09:48.092+11:00The Bees Knees<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="color: #783f04;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #783f04;">Thursday 16 December 2010. Day 120. </span></b>See saw, Marjory daw. You know the rest, even if poor old Majory is so over her name being repeated in countless playgrounds all over the world. </div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal">But now here’s our time line of events:</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="color: #274e13;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Bricks done: Thursday 9 December 2010</span></b></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="color: #274e13;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Bricks washed: Wednesday 15 December 2010</span></b></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="color: #274e13;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Staircase in: Wednesday 15 December 2010 </span></b></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal">You read that right! Staircase in. Woo hoo!! No more gravity defying climbs up steep ladders, no more wibbly wobbly up we go. I’ve resisted the urge to title this post an inane overused ‘Stairway to Heaven’ but that said, it does really really really feel good to have a staircase. Immeasurably good. Like finding ancient photographs in which I looked ever so slim, or possibly the feeling the bugs get when they escape the boys grubby hands. What is it with boys and bugs? I don’t get it. Footballs and toys of every hue abound, but they like snails, creepy crawlies and ‘pider webs. Yuck.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKyhC9VIk957VG62aaCrWNEd3S-T33dz2j0QD_zfzWppBsilJuYnGr8lKR4HrRVecE6oQTnoqzWjFkfo4U5TaWxCBK5DX9LznbEQGjHExF1yA3-CBEbfzzpn-c0CgrzRJBC_pChWR0oR4/s1600/IMG_0108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKyhC9VIk957VG62aaCrWNEd3S-T33dz2j0QD_zfzWppBsilJuYnGr8lKR4HrRVecE6oQTnoqzWjFkfo4U5TaWxCBK5DX9LznbEQGjHExF1yA3-CBEbfzzpn-c0CgrzRJBC_pChWR0oR4/s320/IMG_0108.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #783f04;">Stairs! And a little person at the top of it!</b></td></tr>
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</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal">The brick cleaners were in and have given the house a good scrub and now the bricks look lovely too. All the initially misgivings I had have vanished and I have a feeling that its only going to get better. As the bricks dry the mortar shows up a bit more and there’s that deep maroon and white contrast that is so cool.</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal">Our lovely neighbours came over yesterday and they really liked the house too. “Cathedral high ceilings” – I heart that comment. That was a bit of validation, it’s not only us who think our home is the bees knees/the cats meow/the dog’s bow oh wow – make your pick. I will give DH credit for the actual house selection. My pick was the Cremorne, he won this battle – and most other ones too. I’m happy to eat humble pie, sometimes, as long as it’s cooked well and not a habit.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWvbfRE2B7jWYUsEZeRjCMLyeSYwl3I9a2uYTC8pDfNuCLwjvu0ZCL5g7lkhMYipFTmSJCIjo9RZ-ZUt_9jQqGfLTBRSueBVPhpQQxpzu-2k6BeSJzIxchgDNKHmwuVRmCyaxHG3tTfrI/s1600/IMG_0129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWvbfRE2B7jWYUsEZeRjCMLyeSYwl3I9a2uYTC8pDfNuCLwjvu0ZCL5g7lkhMYipFTmSJCIjo9RZ-ZUt_9jQqGfLTBRSueBVPhpQQxpzu-2k6BeSJzIxchgDNKHmwuVRmCyaxHG3tTfrI/s320/IMG_0129.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #783f04;">Bow oh Wow!</span></b></td></tr>
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</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal">The doors are starting to go in as well and the architraves. I reckon I could do a Masters in Building terminology now, all these things that make up a house actually have very officious names. Door run around thing-a-ma-jings = Architraves. Stuff around the top of the ceiling that makes it look pretty = Cornice. And while you are at it, don’t bump your head on the shadow line feature Caesarstone benchtops. See you could get a Masters too!! </div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><b>Next stage:</b> Kitchen fix. Come on chippies, plaster patch up boys and PD in general, c’mon!!</div>Karmazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338448040047470051noreply@blogger.com