Chateau Lisa

I have a new blog

2011-07-03T16:25:00.002+10:00

In order to try to get myself blogging again, I decided that I wanted to create a blog for the things I am doing in my backyard - http://mybackyardadventure.blogspot.com/ This will contain just about everything I do in my backyard from my vegie patch through to whatever else I end up doing.

Vegie Beds are in place and full of soil

2010-07-27T16:07:00.001+10:00

Yesterday I finished building my vegie garden beds and I dragged them into spot - then I realised that the soil wasn't level and I just knew that that would really P me off so then I set about trying to level them out which first involved trying to find my meter long spirit level! After a 20 minute hunt I couldn't find it so I called my brother - he said he'd bring one around in 30 minutes. In typical fashion I then found it! With my spirit level in hand I then went about measuring where to put them and the spaces for pathways etc and then I dug up the soil to level the ground.

Today I moved 3/4 m3 of soil, 90 minutes later and I finally had the beds full of soil!! Ignore all the weeds, they are slowly keeling over.

I will also wait a few days before planting anything to let the soil settle a bit - so possibly this weekend! ::smile::

In place and ready for the soil

Trailer load of soil - a mix of 50% Premium Soil, 25% Cow Manure, 25% Certified Organic Compost

All full! The bed's are a great heigh in that I could just dump the soil from the wheel barrow

Distance between the fence and the beds

Distance between the beds

Distance between the house and the beds - a good sized pathway

Front Yard - 95% done!

2010-07-16T23:40:00.000+10:00

I am 95% done on my front yard now! (well the main part of it anyway!) All that's left to do now is the pathway to the utilities and that can wait a while longer...

Today I spent about 3 hrs planting 7 new plants and spreading out 1m3 of mulch - my arms and shoulders already hurt, I hate to imagine how much pain I'm going to be in tomorrow! I also originally only got 0.5m3 of mulch and had to go back for another load, good thing it's only around the corner!

Also, another helpful tip - if you aren't used to doing this kind of thing - shovelling stuff out of a trailer is a LOT easier than off the ground, so hire a trailer and help your back!!

Ok onto the photo's

My double branched weeping silver birch tree and the garden before mulching

3 new plants - Banksia Stumpy Gold

Closeup

My other 3 new plants Isopogon 'Candy Cones'

Closeup - these flowers are a mauve pink which should be very pretty

After the mulch:

A front yard update

2010-07-12T18:09:00.000+10:00

I finally have a pictorial update on my front yard!! Today I pretty much weeded the entire garden and then turned the soil over - It was a LOT of hard work!!

I've also got to say that my soil is AWESOME and I owe most of it to Fu from H1!! Although I did the hard work, he gave me the knowledge to make it what it is - so rich and easy to dig over!! There isn't any clay at all in sight anymore and we have had that much rain that I haven't had to water my plants since planting them at Easter and when you step on the soil you sink but it's not a muddy clay mess, it's GREAT!

Most of the weeds I threw onto my front nature strip as I need to start doing something there and I figure the nutrients from the weeds would help.

I will also be mulching it all in the next week or two

Before weeding:

After weeding:

Front yard has plants!

2010-04-03T10:52:00.003+11:00

I finally have some plants in the front yard!!
Over the last few months I've spent about 3-4 hours digging through the old soil with the new soil and adding in extra goodies for the soil. I had to be careful while doing it to not hurt my back again so I restricted my self to mostly 30-45 minute sessions.

Yesterday I spent about 3 hours planting the plants and I reckon almost an hour of it was spent just looking at where I had placed the pots to work out if they were going to work where I had put them and then re-arranging them etc - I'm pretty happy with the results!

I haven't as yet planted the tree's I want to put but I am thinking I will wait until June when I can get bare rooted stock.
I'm also thinking about getting some banksia's to go around the letterbox.

Once in I gave them a good watering with some powerfeed and seasol and then mulched them, I've mulched with pea straw as I had an almost full bag of it and I am going to buy more to cover all the soil this weekend.

Here is a pictorial of the journey that my front yard has taken

When I moved in

After the driveway had been done

After I rotary hoe'ed the existing soil

After bringing in more top soil

Over a few weeks I dug through the new soil with the existing soil and added some goodies like Olsens Green Bio and Zeolite and powerfeed

Blank canvas

Rocks I acquired ;)

Ta da! I will mulch the rest of the soil this weekend but I ran out

5 Gaura plants along the driveway, or as I call them springy butterfly plants :)

5 Blue Fescue plants along the footpath

5 Kangaroo Paws they are all bush gems and the back row has (L-R) Bush Spark, Bush Pizazz and Bush Sundown and the front are both Bush Pearl

4 daphne plants - infront of these will go a Japanese Maple

3 Purple Fountain Grass plants - in front of these will be some silver birch trees

3 Grevillia's - 2 Australian Beauty's which are a nice yellow colour and in the middle is a Bonfire which is bright red
I will put in a gravel type path to the electricity and gas meter's to the left of these

From the back corner

Blue Fescue

Purple Fountain Grass

Blue Fescue, Kangaroo Paws, Gaura on the top left and Daphne on the top right of pic

Daphne

I planted sunflower seeds in my backyard over Christmas and this is the first sunflower flower :D

Front yard

2010-03-28T20:14:00.000+11:00

Gee I'm tired tonight, but it's a good tired! This morning I spent an hour digging up the last part of my front yard with a garden form to mix the souls together and dig through some goodies to improve the soil - bloody hard work! I had that much sweat dripping off my head (my head sweats a lot) that it was not only running into my eyes and stinging but dropping onto my glasses!

Then after lunch/brekky and an impromptu nap in the arm chair I decided to go and collect some rocks for my front yard and then my wheelbarrow died but I may have been able to fix it so will give it another go tomorrow to collect some more.

This morning I also went ot the market and bought some more plant for the big planting session to happen over Easter

Plant Shopping

2010-03-21T15:34:00.000+11:00

I've finally gotten around to spending my Christmas present from my Dad and his wife - a gift voucher to Sertels a local nursery!

It's only a start as I have quite a few more plants to get. I'm still on the look out for some apricot or pink bush roses and I need to get some kangaroo paws and maybe some low growing bottle brush. Then I also need to get some trees, I'm going to get 3 Silver Birch Tree's and most likely a Japanese Maple but I will get them on the day or weekend that I plan to plant them

Here's what I bought:

All of them together

4 Daphne - these will go in front of my portico as a bit of a hedge or something maybe - I love the smell of Daphne

Blue Fescue

2 bush roses, Golden Bunny

3 Purple Fountain Grass

3 Grevillia's 2 Australian Beauty which are yellow and 1 Bonfire which is red

Gaura - I got these before Christmas

A year in the making

2010-01-31T20:36:00.000+11:00

Well a year ago this week the ball started rolling! Feb 1st I put the holding deposit down on land and then on Feb 7th, black saturday I signed the contracts and paid the remaining deposit! I would love to say that the time has flown, but I honestly think that it has been the longest year in my life! I'm the kind of person that can take a while to make up her mind but once it's made up I want it done right away!

Thanks to everyone for sharing this journey with me over the past 12 months! I hope the next 12 months are productive and a lot more enjoyable and less stressful!

I keep meaning to put my slide show together of the changes, I really should get off my bum and do that this week

Gardening - Chilli Plants

2010-01-19T18:57:00.001+11:00

Today I finally got around to re-potting the chilli plants that I was given! My friend that gave me the plants has literally hundreds of them growing (mostly in pots in his front yard!) and was more than happy to share some with me! The pot's I used I was also given (how good is this!) by someone that was going to throw them out and the best thing they both live in the next suburb which makes it even better!

So first of all I had to clean the terracotta pots as I was originally going to paint them (not so sure now) but first they need to be sealed! I also had to go buy more potting mix as the pots I decided to use were a lot bigger than the black pots I had planned to use, but at least these pots mean that the plants can stay in them a lot longer, if not forever.
After getting back from the big green hardware box, I had the sealer required and painted up all the pots and then left them to dry for a few hours. I used this time to finally assemble the wheelbarrow that my sister bought me for Christmas - too many bolts, urgh! I then replanted all the plants and watered them well with some seasol!

Here are the pictures:

Cleaning the terracotta pots and letting them dry

The chilli plants in need of bigger pots

Shiny! Just after being sealed

The first chilli plant re-potted and a lady bird appears, awesome!

All 7 plants

Bottom to top - Thai Chilli (my original plant), Hungarian Hot Wax and African Bird

Left to right Naga Morich, Corno di torro ross, Golden cayenne and Red Savina (Worlds Hottest Habanero Pepper according to Guinness book of world records!)

I assemble this wheelbarrow today, it was a christmas present from my sister

New table and stools

2010-01-18T14:20:00.001+11:00

I finally got my new table! After a few dramas - firstly they ordered the wrong colour and only realised when they were about to deliver it, then the day they finally did deliver the correct table, the screws weren't included in the box so I couldn't attach the legs to the table and then when I finally got it setup the table is damaged! It looks like it wasn't packed properly and the edge of it has rubbed on the box or something -sigh- They are going to replace it, but in the mean time here are some photos!

I can't decide between the blue table runner and the green. I love the bright blue, but I think the green goes better with everything else

My table with the blue runner

With the green runner

New stools for under the bench, I love the shape of them

New soil!

2009-12-22T20:06:00.004+11:00

Today I got my extra soil delivered, all 15m3 of it! I also organised for a friend to come around with his bob cat to spread it out - took him about 90 mins which included putting the fence back on.

Two trailer loads

Very skilled, that trailer is still attached!

15m3 of soil

It's a tight fit

Lets go up

Half done in the backyard

First soil in the front

All done

Rear of the house

From the back fence looking forward I still need to level out some bits near the fence line

LHS of the driveway

Front yard done

My tomatoes

Fence is finished!

2009-12-18T17:32:00.002+11:00

My fence is now finished and it looks great!! I'm mostly excited because now I can get my outdoor setting and bbq out of my garage and start using them!

Gate from inside

From outside

Fence is 95% done!

2009-12-15T17:07:00.002+11:00

Yes, my fence is now 95% complete!!! All that's left to do is the gates and about 1.5 panels to the blind side where it joins my neighbours garage!! I'm surprised how tall the fence is, it certainly provides privacy although I will be building the soil up a bit but still, being a short arse people wont be able to see me.

From the front of the garage where the gates will go

My backyard from the back of the garage

Rear of my block where the vegie garden will be

Looking back to the garage/front of the house

Blind side looking to the rear of the block - the missing 1.5 panels are to my right in this photo

The fence has begun

2009-12-14T18:46:00.004+11:00

My fencers started today and have put all the posts in the ground and will come back later this week to put the panels in

It's going to take a while to get used to the reduced space from it having been an open paddock for so long but I sure am going to enjoy having my BBQ and table n chairs outside!

My backyard from the front of the garage

Blind side from the front yard

The main part of my backyard

The back of the house where the vegie garden beds will be

Blind side

The vegie garden area from the other side

Looking back to the garage from the back corner

Rotary Hoe Part 1

2009-12-12T17:03:00.003+11:00

oooowwwww my hands!!!

Today I hired a Rotary Hoe to dig up all my existing soil. 2hrs it took to do it all and for 2hrs my left hand has had to hold the go handle on and OOOOWWWWW!!!! I think its stuck in a grippy handle position

But I'm done! They are pretty cool machines with the reverse feature and all but bloody hard to turn corners!

I had to get someone to help me get it off the trailer too, cos my dad's trailer has high sides I couldn't get the leverage to start it on the trailer to reverse it down the ramps and then we dropped it and it wouldn't start but then I fixed it and got it going

I was knackered! I was covered in sweat and my head sweats a lot so my head was drenched! Got it all done in the one go though w/out stopping and glad I did it! When I finished I really felt like I needed a nice cold beer but my hands were too sore to grip it and open it and it was only 10:30am ;)

One advantage of having no fences and a close boundary, throw all the big bits of broken brick and rocks to other property hehehe

I got woken up by this at 6:50 am :(

Before: Front yard

Before: Side of garage

Before: Backyard

After: Front yard

After: Side of Garage to back yard

After: Backyard

After: rear of house

Tomatoes

Two tiny tomatoes!!

Bricks are moved!

2009-12-06T10:54:00.003+11:00

Thanks to some very awesome people, yesterday we got all my bricks moved!

The suggestion was made to put them on pellets so we grabbed some from over the road and got to work. I am so thankful for the help, it didn't end up taking us too long to do as there were 5 of us and two wheel barrows which helped to get it done a lot quicker and easier

The pile of bricks to be moved

The bricks have been relocated to the concrete

The Bricks

A lovely clear backyard ready for fencing and soil to be brought in

Mars Bar cheesecake that I made - mmmm yummy!!

New window coverings, it's just material that I have thumbtacked into the window frame but it blocks the light so my bedroom isn't full of daylight at 6:30am anymore!

I can also now see out the front windows!!

Drinks Fridge

2009-12-04T20:40:00.002+11:00

I finally decided to buy a second fridge, a drinks fridge to go into the garage. It's second hand and I got it off ebay but it's only a few months old

Shiny

Freezer

Stocked and ready!

Water Damage?

2009-11-27T17:14:00.001+11:00

I thought I survived the storm that hit my area yesterday but now I'm not so sure...

These are my upper kitchen cupboards and you can see the slight discolouration of the paint and that the paint is peeling off the wall - it's not a crack like the other area's although there is also a crack
Is this something to really panic about, should I be emptying the top cupboards?

I can't see anything else anywhere that joins the wall

My new couch

2009-11-14T11:00:00.004+11:00

I have my couch!! Yes, after almost 14 weeks I finally have my couch and I love it!!
It's sooooooo big and comfy, it's massive!

I'm going to have to move my entertainment unit too as when it's in the centre of the room now it's not in the centre of the couches, not a big issue but I just need help moving it - sooo heavy

The photos are taken on my iphone as I can't locate my camera

This shows the colour better

Thinking about the outside

2009-11-09T09:52:00.004+11:00

I really need to start planning the outdoor part of my block. Yes, I need to finish the indoors still, but that's hopefully going to progress a LOT more this week with hopefully getting my couch!! Yes, that's right, after over 3 months of waiting, I should get my couch this week or next! The ship is due to dock today so they said I should be called later this week to organise a delivery day/time.

I've also discovered that I need to get the outdoor roof put on ASAP. The hot afternoon sun directly hits the living room windows and the room just heats up soooo much that I really need the roof before blinds. I'm hoping that I can get it done before Christmas, but it really depends on my brother on when he has the time to -cough- assist -cough- me build it (read: he builds it and I help).
I'm thinking of doing a pitched roof that as I walk out the sliding door the roof goes up and then down to the fence line. The cover will most likely be alternating sheets of colorbond and laserlite and then also put a fan in the middle of the roof.

In the meantime I am thinking that I might go buy some bamboo blinds and install them on the outside of the windows by way of putting some cup hooks into the bricks and just hanging them from it. I can then later use the hooks for other things and the blinds could possibly then go on the end of the new roof or something.

I also really need to start planning my backyard and front yard. Do I want pavers around the side of the house to the clothes line and the vegie patch or do I just want a lillydale toppings path? Other paths, so out to the front of the house from the backyard will probably just be lillydale toppings, and also around the blind side, but I'm thinking maybe something a bit nicer through a lawn or something. I dunno - need to work it out!
I also really need to nut out the plan for the front garden and go looking for plants and draw it up so that I can get it approved. I'm not really in a hurry to do a huge amount plant wise until after summer, but I can at least start planning it.

I love my house

2009-10-31T08:48:00.002+11:00

I really do, I love my house! I love the location, it's soooo peaceful here and you can hear all the animals - this morning I have been sitting in my chair, with the sun and breeze coming in through the window listening to the magpies, ravens and the cows while watching the rabbits run around! I'm going to miss the rabbits when I get a fence, although I'm pretty sure I wont miss them if they start eating my plants when I get around to starting the garden.

Today I am thinking about heading to a nursery to start investigating plants for my garden. Ideally the best time to do the garden is Autumn so I may end up waiting until then, but I can at least start planning it now and getting it organised.

Seeing as I don't have a vegie patch yet, I'm thinking about using my vegie boxes from my old place for some tomatoes again this year. I need to buy some more stakes and might also need some chicken wire or something to wrap around them to stop the rabbits, but it will be nice to have some vegies growing again.

Damage update

2009-10-24T14:29:00.002+11:00

So I called next doors builder yesterday and left a message for their admin person who called me back within an hour or two. I explained what had happened and she said she would get the supervisor to call me.
I didn't get the call on Friday but when I came home the fence was up and my house looks as though nothing at all has happened to it! Not sure what they did but I don't mind as now it looks fine

Damage from next doors builders

2009-10-22T19:18:00.002+11:00

I came home today to find that my next door neighbours temp fencing had pushed over and it had hit my front wall and has damaged my render. I'm pretty sure it was knocked over when they did a site clean as the left over brickies sand was spread all over their driveway area AND the blue feet thingy that the fence sits in to stop it falling over was sitting on the middle of the wire as you can see below

I'm also quite annoyed again as they are using my power by unplugging my Solar hot water system! A) I am annoyed they are using my power but b) they are unplugging MY stuff to do so!! There is a perfectly fine power point 5m down the wall that they could use w/out me even knowing!

Neighbours temp fence was knocked down and hit my wall and damaged the render :(

Close up

Down through the first layer to the second (white) layer of render

Mortar in my fly screen from the neighbours brickies

house warming present

2009-10-20T17:26:00.000+11:00

House warming present - it's actually a BRIGHT purple frame to match the bright purple gumboots!

Bathrooms are done

2009-10-18T19:01:00.002+11:00

I've been a bit light on with regards to updates but that's mostly cos there is nothing to update!

I've now pretty much finished the bathrooms so I thought I would post some photo's of that and then a few other bits n pieces too

Some flowers I bought at the market today for $11 - BARGAIN!

Ensuite

Bathroom

Candle in the bathroom

Bathroom

Bamboo in the bathroom

Can you see the rabbits? they are about 4-5m from the edge of my concreted outdoor area

The rabbits like this mound of dirt for some reason

Two of the rabbits

House warming present from my cousin - it's Wine Glass Bay in Tassie, he stitched 10 of his own photo's together - it's awesome and I love it's going above the TV

Garage is sorted!

It's nice

2009-10-11T09:31:00.003+11:00

I love being in my house. I love the space, I love the kitchen bench space, I love the size of the oven, I love having a garage and I love the peace and quiet! I also love the animal life, the ducks, the birds, the cows and even though I know that they are an evil evil pest, I do enjoy watching the rabbits run around. I'm currently watching one dig into a pile of dirt that someone dumped just the other side of my fence line (no fences yet though)
Another thing I love is having visitors! At my old place no one visited but that's also because it wasn't really the kind of place to have visitors due to the extreme lack of space. Yesterday I had 3 different sets of visitors! :D I love it! Although I think I need to stock up on some things like maybe some biscuits or something to offer visitors hehe

Off to VCAT

2009-10-10T21:14:00.004+11:00

I'm being taken to VCAT by the landlords of the unit I just moved out of. I handed the keys in at the rental on Tuesday and as expected the landlords think I broke the glass on the shower screen. What actually happened was during the heatwave in Jan/Feb I was showering and I heard a tinkle noise which I thought was my shower egg timer thingy falling down, but it was the glass of the screen cracking. If you look at the glass you can see that there has not been any impact... anyway they have decided that they will take me to VCAT to get the money out of my bond. If VCAT say I need to pay then so be it, but I will be putting up my own photo's and putting my own case across :D

It should be interesting as the unit is being advertised as up for rent again with the availability as being 'now' so the whole vcat process could take a few weeks so they will have to pay for the replacement upfront.

They've also put the rent up another $20 per week!

Possible lights

2009-10-08T20:40:00.003+11:00

I went to a light shop today and saw a couple of lights that I really like but I'm just not sure about them - they are the same colour and I was thinking of this pendant for the family and meals area
and then the green one of these for the 3 across the bench maybe? They are the same green and the pic above is more representative of the actual colour

I've been shopping!

2009-10-08T20:23:00.002+11:00

Harris Scarfe are currently having a big sale and so what better time to go shopping? :D

I bought a Stanley Rogers cutlery set - Monte Carlo which is a 56 pce Stainless Steel set with a 25 year guarantee - I got it for $99 and the RRP is $269!
I got two complete towel sets, 2 bath sheets, a floor mat and a face washer.
I got a Wiltshire 12 knife stay sharp block thingy, it has 6 steak knives and 6 good cutting knives to cook with
I also got a pasta machine thingy - I've never made pasta but I figured if I was going to then I needed one!

I have done it

2009-10-04T18:33:00.002+11:00

No doubt I'm going to have lots of these moments in the coming weeks but, wow! I am in my own house! -cheesey grin-

I've done it, and I am in! It's really going to sink in this week when I am back at work and after work I drive out here and I open the front door with my key and I am home :D

I have concrete!

2009-10-04T16:36:00.003+11:00

The concreters came today and poured the concrete and coloured it! It looks great :D

First Pour

Pouring it

Smoothing it and leveling it out

All smooth

Driveway being poured

Smoothing it and leveling it out

All smooth and raining - the bucket is to catch the drips form the leaking gutter

Technical way of spreading out the colour for the top. They then trowel this into the top layer

All done - colour is Chocolate

Finished

Driveway and portico is done, Colour is Charcoal

Driveway

Portico

Chateau Lisa

Driveway

Side view

Inside photo

2009-10-02T17:09:00.002+10:00

Here are some photo's I've taken over the past few days

Security doors were installed - marine steel grade mesh or something, I'm calling it the door people don't see as I have already had two people not realise it was there and try to walk through it

Driveway is all boxed up for concrete

Driveway boxed up

Outdoor/alfresco area boxed up

I asked them if they could move all my bricks to the back corner with the bob cat and they did :) Although I wonder how many broke

Now the bricks are moved the side of my garage is all cleared and flattened out

My kitchen!

Kitchen

Island bench

Oven

I love the space on the top here, it's huge!

Meals and family with my old furniture

Family, meals and kitchen

My letter box - it needs a bit of a clean up and I want to paint it the same as the render

First meal cooked in the oven

I am in!

2009-10-01T13:43:00.002+10:00

Removalists are the best invention since sliced bread, I'm serious! It was sooooooooooo good and stress free!! They did an awesome job and they dismantled my bed and didn't even charge me anything more for it!! So far it doesn't seem like anything is broken or damaged, they were very professional and were just sensational. I HIGHLY recommend Epping Furniture Removals - Call Darren on 9401 3400 or 0408 352 349

My Sister and my step mum both came up and gave me a hand to unpack my kitchen (half of my stuff is kitchen stuff!) and now my kitchen is completely unpacked and I owe them so much for helping me to do that! My sister even made my bed for me after we assembled it all!

My oven is in and it is huuuuuuuge and I love all 900mm of it :D I haven't used it yet, but that's mostly cos I can't be bothered cooking anything as that involves standing and that is something I'm adverse to currently due to VERY sore feet!

My first night sleeping here last night was OK. I didn't get much sleep, but first night in any place I never really do, so hopefully tonight is better as I got out of bed extremely tired this morning! I also have the redi shades on my front windows as the blinds I bought didn't fit and with a street light right out the front it means that they kind of glow in the night, but I will get used to that eventually I think. If I don't then there are ways around it with some material.

My ADSL is now connected and I have my wifi connected and all going - YaY to being organised and getting that done before moving in!

The concreters came today and have done all the boxing up and stuff for laying the concrete and they will be back on Sunday to pour it. It looks great already as it is as it isn't a pile of mud and dirt! My outdoor/alfresco area is going to be huge, I love it!

I haven't really unpacked a lot today as my feet are just really quite sore and I am TIRED so I am having a bit of a relax and might even go have a bath soon :)

0 sleeps to go!

2009-09-30T07:52:00.001+10:00

I set my alarm for 7am but I've been awake since about 5:30am so at 6am I just got up. I figured I was thinking about what needs to be done and seeing as I am already awake I may as well just get up and do them! So I am basically ALL done except the fridge freezer which I will wait until they get here to do that, I figure the less time things are in the eski the better.

I actually feel organised, I might not later though, so I am enjoying a cheese toasty and a cup of tea ::kiss::

I'm rambling and thinking outloud/through my fingers a bit but....

I've done it! I've built my very first house, my very own house and I am moving into it today!! And I have done it all on my own!

Home Owner, I have the keys

2009-09-29T20:13:00.003+10:00

As you could see from my last post, I have the keys to my house! I got the keys at about 10am and I also got a small handover gift of gardening gloves, a handheld garden fork and some seeds.
It was such a great morning wandering about my house, MY HOUSE and letting myself into MY house with MY keys! I put all the temporary blinds up (redi shades) and by the time that was done the guy turned up to install the security doors but I had to leave to go to my friends funeral so my Dad and his wife stayed while they installed the doors - so very nice of them :)

There are still a few things that need touching up on the house, but they will get done and they are not major and if they have to wait till the 3 month maintenance then so be it, but I doubt it will take that long.

The funeral was, well, draining and emotional and right now I am mentally exhausted as well as quite stuffed physically. I've had to do a bit more packing tonight but I have stopped now and will do the last few bits in the morning and what doesn't get packed into a box can just stay for a few more days, but I should get most of it in.

Tomorrow is going to be a big day of moving, so glad I am getting removalists

My precious!!

2009-09-29T09:53:00.001+10:00

The Cheque

2009-09-28T13:43:00.003+10:00

I have The Cheque! All that's left to do now is inspect my house, drive all the way to Port Melbourne and hand it over and in return I get the keys!

Oh and I also need to finish packing! I really can't be bothered though... but I have to! I got some more boxes from Bunnings, some biggish ones for the awkward things left to pack... why do the fiddly bits n pieces remain as the last things to pack, that just makes it even more annoying.

Oh and I also now need to disassemble my beds my self as my brother was meant to help but no longer can... great...

Are we there yet?

2009-09-27T16:46:00.003+10:00

3hrs of solid packing and my kitchen is basically done! All that's left in there is to clean out the fridge which I will do tomorrow (bin night) and take a heap of rubbish out to the bin, but I've sat down now and don't really feel like moving. Oh and to clean up the un used boxes.

Now all that's left to really do in the house is to put some odds and ends in some boxes or in green bags and then tomorrow I will also pack my stereo, dvd etc so I'm just left with the tv and SD box, oh and the laundry which will take about 10 mins.

I'm using my camping plates/cutlery to use for eating but I wont really be cooking anyway over the next few days as I want to get some take away meals from a few of my local fav's that I will miss.

I don't think I have ever been this organised for a move ever! I think I am at least 95% packed.

I have been sitting for a bit now and I am stuffed! I've gotta learn that when I'm standing up for so long that I really should have shoes on so I am standing on my orthodics as it really does help.
Oh and I should have cleaned the benches and the floor before I started packing - oops!

If it wasn't almost 5pm I would have a nap!

Finished door and Splashback is in

2009-09-26T10:45:00.003+10:00

I have been a bit slack with photo's but that's mostly cos there isn't really anything new or exciting to show.
Well today I went up to the house and the painters have been hard at work and done the final coat to my front door, my glass splashback has also been installed!! Also there are a couple of photos I took from the PCI

PCI - My ensuite has the chicken pox - the red dots are used to mark what needs touching up

Bathroom looking to rumpus

One of my Heater/Aircon control panel

My front door has had it's final coat!

The bottom of the door frame has been stained

umm yeah, thanks for that painters...

New position of the towel rail, still not great but better

My glass spalshback is in!! It's Mocha Magic

Splashback

From the sliding door

Splashback again

Very poor patch up of render :(

Getting organised

2009-09-24T12:50:00.003+10:00

With only 5 sleeps until handover and 6 sleeps until I actually move the to do list is getting shorter and then I think of more things that need doing...

Removalists confirmed - tick
Bank Cheque organised for day before hand over - tick
Insurance certificate - tick
Money transfered from ING to pay for everything - tick
Phone line connected - tick
ADSL applied for - tick
Cleaner organised for rental (Hi Kate!) - tick
Carpet cleaner organised for rental - tick
Organise security door installation - tick
Organise fly screen installation - tick
Organise concreter - tick (hopefully the weather plays nicely)
Paid my rates for this quarter so I don't forget - tick
Starting to panic - tick

Still to do:

Be given my Certificate of Occupance - hopefully today
Order rubbish and recycling bins from council - dependent on COO
Finish packing - ARGH! Actually it's not that bad... I think... -scratches head-
Mail redirection - I have the form, just need to submit it
Collect bank cheque for builder
Cancel services at rental and organise final readings
Unpack!
Change address for -everything- (I will do that once I've moved though)
Get the keys to my very first house!

I'm sure there are a few things I've forgotten about - please let me know if you can think of anything I am missing!!

PCI done. R.I.P Woody

2009-09-22T13:16:00.004+10:00

Where do I start? What a shit of a day and yet great at the same time....

The carpet in the meals/family area is going to be replaced and lots of walls are going to be fully repainted as he doesn't like touch up jobs being done as you can see them - the two sides of the entrance, the two main walls of the meals/family plus the toilet is going to be re-sanded and painted as you can see some plaster joins, a laundry wall will also be re done. 3 lights weren't working so they will be fixed, the outside junction box will be changed. The laminate bench in the ensuite will be fixed/replaced. The front render will be fixed, the power point int he bathroom has had to be put in the cupboard due to the smallness of the room and proximity to water sources and the post at the front of the house will be fixed properly. And then there are lots of bits that need repainting around the cornices etc due to movement and they will probably need to be re-done at the 3 and 12 month checks too... c'est la vie
I forgot the hair dryer so I didn't check any power points but I'm really not too worried as my SS has said that he looks after things for the first month, so anything I see that needs fixing he will get fixed in that first month and then it goes to the maintenance people and that alone leaves me feeling good as I know he does a good job.

I took photo's but really can't be bothered posting them as nothing has changed other than the addition of the red dots... splashback will go in later this week. It takes a while as they can't measure for it until the stone bench tops are in and then they need to cut the glass and then send it to the painters to be painted.

I've just checked my colour selections and I think they have installed the wrong internal door handles, everything is satin chrome but the door handles are all shiny and not a matt finish - gah, do I bother or not?

Oh and my phone got connected today! The appointment was meant to be for 8am-12pm but at 11:30 he came past and I told him how glad I was he arrived and he said he is about 4hrs early - they moved my appointment to 1pm-5pm and no one told me, anyway he had another one for a house just down the road so he did mine at the same time!

Just after starting my inspection I got a phone call from my sister to tell me that one of our long time family friend died in an accident this morning. I've known him for over half of my life and if I hadn't got back in contact with my Dad I would have asked him to walk me down the aisle if I was to ever get married. He leaves behind a lovely Wife, Tanya and two sons Trent and Hayden.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/truckie-dies-after-hitting-stationary-semi-along-princes-freeway-nar-nar-goon/story-e6frf7kx-1225778017463

I was meant to go back to work this afternoon but just not in the head space for it. I'm also mean to help officiate/judge a cycling event my club is running tonight and I just don't know if I will or not yet... feeling pretty crappy and not in the mood to be around people

PCI Tomorrow!

2009-09-21T11:29:00.003+10:00

My PCI inspection is tomorrow! Yes, tomorrow!! It's amazing to think that I have survived the journey ;) The build has gone so smoothly and I am so pleased that it has considering how stressful it was dealing with the home loan application.

So tomorrow I will be armed with a clipboard, my electrical plan, a hairdryer and my camera! The hair dryer is for checking that all the power points work.

I have been compiling a list of things to check:
• Make sure you open and close lots of things eg all doors incl cupboards etc,
• open and close all windows
• check all taps and make sure the water drains away.
• Check all paint work
• look down the side of the walls where the light shines onto it.
• Make sure all doors have the weather strips
• check that the roof insulation is tidy and even.
• Check for chipped bricks and discoloured or missing mortar.
• Make sure there are no missing roof tiles.
• Make sure the windows aren't scratched on the frame or glass.
• Check that no tiles are pointing (higher than others). (bare feet)
• Make sure toilets are centered in the space and flush properly.
• Exhaust fans work
• check under the vanities to check that when they drilled the holes to get the plumbing through they did a good job
• check the cabinetry
• check the sliding door handles are all the same styles
• check the windows to make sure they didn't get paint sprayed on them - you may need to feel for the paint as it may not show up in the light
• check the sliding doors are level and shut properly
• check for all the extra power points are there
• Take a hair dryer to test every single power point works
• Check all lights turn on

Final Invoice

2009-09-18T18:11:00.003+10:00

I got my final invoice today! I called the bank to get the process started and they told me that who ever it was that said I needed 7-8 business days didn't know what they were on about! It's 5 days maximum! Anyway, they will send a person out within 2 business days and then I will be contacted about how I want to make the final payment sand where to get the cheque. I'm hoping I can collect it on the Monday after work so I don't have any hassles and delays on the Tuesday.

Also an interesting fact, Westpac don't require a copy of my COO for the final payment!

While I was on the phone to the guy at the bank I asked him how much short I would be. For some reason I had it in my head that I was going to be a few hundred dollars short but it turns out I am wrong! After I have made the last payment to the builder and I have paid my heater/aircon crew I will actually have a bit over $2.5k that I can get put into my account!! Wooooohooooooooo! Calculation error in my favour!! Go past go and collect $200! YaY!!

Phone update

2009-09-18T08:42:00.002+10:00

I got some great news today about my phone connection - there isn't going to be a delay and it should get connected when requested! It looks like they just hadn't updated their records or something and with me being the first to apply for it I was the lucky one to get the message until it all got updated! C'est la vie, I'm just glad it's going to be connected and I should be able to have ADSL for when I move in!

Inside photo's!

2009-09-17T17:32:00.004+10:00

I got into the house today! The electricians were there moving the light switch in the garage and the guy was there installing the shower screens!

It was soooooooooo nice just walking around my house with the carpet in, it really felt like a house and almost like a home!!

Ensuite mirror was installed today

Ensuite fan

Ensuite mixer tap - colours are washed out due to the flash

The well placed towel rail... still need to ask for this to be removed

Bathroom mirror was also installed today

Bathroom shower screen was also installed today

Bathroom shower screen

Bathroom shower screen

Telephone and GPO in the pantry

Vegie sprayer!

Kitchen, meals and family

Close up

Not very impressed by this carpet join :( It's in the family/meals

Also not impressed about this carpet join - this one is in the rumpus

Bathroom tiles

Carpet

Kitchen tiles

Can you spot the 3 ducks?

Lock it in Eddie!

2009-09-17T10:08:00.004+10:00

My PCI and handover dates are officially official now!! :D As opposed to being told its those dates but not actually having it set in stone! Sweeeeeeet!

No word on the invoice yet though, hopefully they get that sorted today and can email me a pdf of it so I can call the bank up and get them started on it all!!

I also got a phone call today that my security doors are ready! I've booked them in for the afternoon of handover - lets hope handover goes smoothly... might be a fine fine line...

Just think, this time in two weeks I will have woken up in my new house from my first nights sleep there!

To do list

2009-09-16T21:49:00.003+10:00

I tell you what, moving into a new house on it's own needs a project manager! So far I have organised to put up the temporary redi shades and front window blinds the Tuesday (handover day). On the Wednesday I am moving and have scheduled the fly screens to be installed that afternoon. Thursday/Friday/Saturday hopefully my concrete for the driveway and alfresco is done, two days is needed - fingers crossed for good weather. I also need to organise a day for the security doors to be installed and I need to organise the cleaning of my current place and I need to clean up the backyard! Gawd I have soooooooo much to do that it's not funny! Also as already mentioned I still don't know when I will get a phone line AND I need to get my tv antenna connected in the roof! I'm trying not to watch my recorded tv and downloads just incase I wont have tv recception or internet - my gawd, could you imagine no TV and no internet?!?! The mind boggles!

Outdoor Painting

2009-09-16T20:27:00.005+10:00

I called my SS yesterday and discovered that he didn't realise that the PCI and handover dates had been locked in! ARGH!!! So I explained that N had told me she discussed it with him and we talked about the dates and that I have given rental notice based on the dates and booked removalists etc etc! Anyway, I found out today that he will be submitting those dates into the system - lets hope that I now get all the stuff to the bank in time for their processing times!

I also submitted my order for a home phone line and was told that it has been put on hold due to the main cable requiring an upgrade - wtf? I figure it's just that my end of the street hasn't been actually turned on yet and that I am probably the first to apply for a phone line in this stage. I should find out a timeline of when I can expect to get a phone line and then I can work out what to do in regards to internet etc

In other news, the outdoor painting has been started!!

Chateau Lisa - can you see the painting of the gutters, eaves, down pipes and....

My front door has an undercoat!! I LOVE IT!!! Really LOVE it!

Loving the colour!! See the portico roof and wood poles have all been painted

The door needs another coat, but I LOVE it!!

You can just see that they have done the inside too

Painted downpipes

Painted garage door

Carpet

2009-09-14T18:50:00.003+10:00

My carpet was installed today! I'm not really sure I like it, I don't mean I hate it, but I expected it to be a bit darker and browner or something, it just seems a bit washed out in the meals and family room.
The colour is Old Leather

Master bedroom carpet

Meals area see how much lighter it looks

Bed 2 - see how much darker and browner it looks and not as washed out

Rumpus to the front door

Meals and family room

It sure had been, the windows were VERY clean!

Termite thingy

Good to see that they are the right ones

Counting down

2009-09-14T08:00:00.004+10:00

Yes, I am officially in countdown mode! Tomorrow is the builders Final Inspection where building surveyors or some such come out and inspect the house in order to release the Certificate of Occupancy and evidently some of the managers from head office come out and take a look too.

I have 8 sleeps until my PCI and 15 sleeps until handover! -squeal- I really only have 2 weeks left to go!! WOOOOOOHOOOOOOO Wow!

I've been trying to make a list of what needs to be completed:

Carpet
Kitchen splashback
shower screens
Mirrors
outdoor painting (I want to see my door!!!)
electrician needs to move a light switch and do a GPO in the bathroom and an outdoor light
Insulation to go into the roof
Appliances - last thing to go in though

I finally bought some door mats on the weekend. I had been looking for something nice that wasn't plain and boring and I finally found one that's simple but OK.
I've asked a friend to get her hubby, who is a handyman, to give me a price on how much it would cost to build a brick letterbox but yesterday I also finally found the letterbox I was after so I'm really not sure which way to go with regards to that, I'm tipping it will be a price point decision.

I also ordered my redi shades last week and they were sent on Thursday so hopefully I get them today too

OMG I have only 15 sleeps to go!!! I really should have done some more packing on the weekend hahahah ahh well will do some each night after work this week, there really isn't a lot left to do but still, it does need to be done.

Door Handles

2009-09-12T19:11:00.000+10:00

I have door handles! They were installed this morning and look very nice :D

My front door handle has been installed

Garage door to the house has had its deadlock installed

Door stoppers have been installed (you can see my writing on the garage slab :D )

Internal door handles and wardrobe fit out

Ensuite - toilet roll holder and towel rail -I asked that the towel rail not be installed but just noticed it was on the final drawings -sigh- I will ask my SS to see if he can remove it, I mean who is going to hang towels OVER the toilet roll holder and RIGHT NEXT to the toilet?!?!

Pantry door handle

Internal door handle

BIR door handles

Site clean, finished render and garage door

2009-09-11T19:11:00.003+10:00

I drove down my street tonight and got a huge surprise to see that my site had been cleaned which included the removal of the port-a-loo and rubbish cage and that my render has been finished!!

I love my render and love having a clean front yard!

Chateau Lisa - Check out my garage door!

Close up

Chateau Lisa - Check out my render! Love it!!

Did you notice in the last photo something different? Yes, no Port-a-loo or rubbish cage!! My site has been cleaned!

Render - The colour is Flood Mud

Front of my house, I haven't been able to take this shot before due to the port-a-loo and rubbish cage being in the way

Aircon/heater vents have been done and the control panels are in too

All clean! Love the makeshift step hehe they aren't filling it due to me getting it concreted

Return air vent installed

Render

A different angle

All clean and filled!

Fitout has started

2009-09-09T18:19:00.004+10:00

The Fitout stage started yesterday and after today the electrical fitout is basically done - an outdoor light hasn't been fitted and a powerpoint in the bathroom hasn't been done either.
I have electricals, taps, toilets and plumbing so really the house is almost done! The outdoor painting still hasn't been done but the weather is on the improve so hopefully soon.
Pitty work is being extremely stressful so I don't feel too excited about it :(

Photo's from the past few days

Chateau Lisa

Render

I have light switches and power points - the light switch is meant to be on the other side of the door though

My fancy light shade that the builder provides (one day they will be changed out) and energy saving light bulbs - will change these for warm light ones

I have a shower rail and mixer taps on the shower and basin

Taps for the bath, glad the spout reaches

POWERtainment

Outdoor tap

Laundry sink taps and spout

Washing machine taps and some plaster damage

Insulation has been delivered, I couldn't see any writing to say what R rating it is to make sure it was the correct type

Kitchen sink and my vegie sprayer tap have been put in

Ensuite mixer tap

Evidence of muddy tradies

Lights over my kitchen bench where I will one day put in pendants

Outdoor GPO

Outdoor light

Ensuite toilet

Rental notice given

2009-09-07T19:12:00.002+10:00

That's right, I have submitted my 4 weeks rental notice to the estate agents! ARGH!! Wow! A big move considering but my builder has been really good and accurate with dates so far so it should be OK!

Today I've also booked the removalist, put in my annual leave and purchased the redi shades for the rest of my windows!

Oh hang on, I don't think I put it in here, on the weekend I had a suggestion put to me that I buy some nice wooden venetians for my 3 front windows. This way the front of the house will look finished and I will be able to block more light out of my bedroom so good all around and for less than $140 for the 3 (they were 40% off) I agreed, it was a good idea!

PCI and Handover Dates plus render

2009-09-04T19:05:00.003+10:00

I have actual PCI and handover dates! Yes, yes I do!! PCI is 22nd and handover is 29th!! I figure I can hopefully move the day after handover and take the rest of the week off! YaY!!!

Providing I can clear it with work, I'm going to give notice for Tuesday October 6th which gives me a week to move out and get it all done!

Also! I have my first coat of render!

The photo's are kinda dodgy as it wasn't just raining but hailing!

Chateau Lisa

First coat of render (no that's not the colour it will be!)

Completed tiling and garage door

2009-09-03T21:00:00.003+10:00

Due to work I haven't been to see my house for 2 days, but today when I got there rather late the tiler was there putting the final tile back on from needing to leave it off for the plumber so I was able to get in to get photos!

Ensuite shower base - I love how they did the tiling, love the diagonals!

Ensuite splashback

Ensuite shower

Feautre tiles

Ensuite floor

Ensuite niche

Kitchen floor

Kitchen floor into the pantry

Laundry splashback

Laundry floor

Front entrance

Bathroom shower

Bathtub!!

Bathroom shower base, again I love the direction of the tiles

Bathroom floor and bath

I also have a garage door!

Someone's been doing some digging

Oooh the phone cable has been done finally

I have a date

2009-09-02T19:45:00.002+10:00

Firstly, today is the second day in a row I haven't left work till late so I haven't been out to my house -pout- I'm having withdrawals but I'm honestly almost too tired to care due to the amount of work I'm TIRED and knackered.

Secondly I got told today that the Final Inspection has been booked in for September 15th! From that they should hopefully then book in the PCI for later in the week and then handover/settlement 1 week after that so I am still looking good for being in by around the end of September! I wont give my notice to move out though for another week or so though.

Not Happy Jan

2009-09-01T10:19:00.004+10:00

Nearly two weeks ago I found out that my SS was on leave for two weeks, that's fine that's part of life, but N my CSA told me that he would be back on Monday of this week. He isn't. He isn't back until tomorrow, Wednesday. I'm slightly annoyed by this. As I thought he was back on Monday, I figured I would give him a day to catch up and get back into things and give him time to call me instead of me calling him. This morning it got the better of me and I called him - his voice mail says he isn't back until tomorrow, that is how I found out!

I emailed N and asked for an update and her reply was 'B will be in the office tomorrow, I will know more then' Wednesday is office day when all the SS' go in for meetings or updates or something.

I currently feel very annoyed and let down as N told me that the dates for the Final Inspection and then the PCI and handover wouldn't be done until B is back in the office and not once did she correct me when I said I hope to find out on the Monday or Tuesday. I find that a bit rude.
I know it's only a few more days, but that's a few more days of paying rent, a few more days of not knowing dates of when I can expect to get my keys to my house! It's a few more days of waiting with no end date -sigh-

Anyway, no movement at the house yesterday except for the boxes of tiles being moved into the garage for some reason. The tilers weren't there to finish the tiling and the grouting as they said they would be. I'm wondering if it's because I locked the sliding door... when I went there yesterday the door was again unlocked, after I had locked it and I am wondering if the tilers couldn't get in to finish the job... lets hope they do today!

More tiling photos but from inside

2009-08-29T17:03:00.005+10:00

I had a bit of time to kill this morning so naturally I went up to my house :D I also managed to find a door that was left unlocked! Sweeeeeeet! I got lots of photo's and spent a long time checking out all the paint work - I'm VERY impressed with the painting!! There are some marks and scratches but they are probably from the tilers - it happens.
Also, happy to report that the previous photo's of the paint on the cabinet work has been fixed!

Side of bath (Chocolate Matt) and floor tiles (Agra Sandstone). The top of the bath will be the same as the side

Shower in the bathroom

Bath plumbing, the shape in the concrete makes sense now - that water is still there grrr

Toilet! I like how they have done the tiles in here (Agra Sandstone)

Laundry (Loft Walnut)

Kitchen (Loft Walnut)

Bathroom/ensuite/toilet floor tiles (Agra Sandstone) next to the kitchen/entrance/laundry (Loft Walnut)

Ensuite shower (Mulia Gloss white with a strip of Chocolate Matt). The Bathroom shower will have the same strip

Shower base and floor tile (Agra Sandstone)

Close up of the feature strip (Chocolate Matt)

Damaged vanity in the ensuite

Completed paintwork

Two deep scratches on the front door

Bath support - it's actually a row of bricks and then cement or something

I have laid tiles

2009-08-28T19:02:00.003+10:00

I got to my house today after 5pm and the tilers were still there working!! They were still there trying to get as much done as possible so that they can finish on Monday - yes, done in two days!! Woohoo! Hopefully that means that the fit out of all the electricals can start sooner which means it might only be 2 weeks away - WARGH!!! YaY!! :D

Unfortunately, I couldn't really go anywhere other than the kitchen due to the tiles being laid and being wet as they do the tiles in a way that they do the entrance last, which makes sense.

Naturally, some photos!

Kitchen floor in front of the pantry

Kitchen

How the bath tub is being held up - by bricks and dirt....

Bath is in the rumpus

Laundry floor

Laundry bench

Through the kitchen window

My neighbours have started - their site got scraped today!

Bits N pieces

2009-08-27T20:14:00.005+10:00

The inside painting has now been completed and the doors are back on! None of the outdoor painting has been done yet though. I spoke to the painters about the inside of the front door but I have also emailed N my CSA about it to ensure that it is re-painted.
The wet area's have also been water proofed, I have my bathtub and the tiles have all been delivered ready for a start tomorrow (hopefully!)

The photo's are from the past two days and are all taken through the windows.
I was asked to provide some picture of how thick the bench top is too, so they are below

The painting inside is completed and the doors are back on

The painting in the garage is completed

Bath hob has been water proofed

Bathroom shower is water proofed

Benchtop with carboard on top

Benchtop again with the cardboard on top

You can just see it, the corner of the ensuite shower hob has been water proofed

Delivery from Frank Walker! (National Tiles) - the long tube is also from them, no idea what's in it though - any thoughts?

Messages to the tiler

I have a bath tub!!!

Holding it up

mmmmmmmm Bath

More paint and my kitchen bench!!

2009-08-25T16:27:00.002+10:00

I got to my house again today just as the painters had literally locked up!! They let me in again which was awesome :D
I asked them if they knew that the inside of the front door was meant to be the same as the outside and they didn't know - it doesn't have it on their sheet - ahh well they know now! He then went and got the tin of paint and the colour is actually quite a bright purple and not a dusty purple as per the sample card... he asked me if I was sure that I wanted the inside in that colour as I have quite natural neutral colours inside and I replied with 'Yeah!!! :D' hehehe Now I've seen the colour I'm really not as confident but stuff it, it's only a door if I hate it I will re do it LOL!! But I know I'm gonna love it!! (I hope in a wacky zany way)

I also discovered that my kitchen benchtops have been delivered and installed!! :D

Anyway, onto the photos!

Shiny! The doors are all done

The door frames are done too

Front door completed, but in the wrong colour - I explained it to them today so they will re do it

Family room

My kitchen bench top has been installed!!

Close up

Rumpus room and you can see the cows!

Shiny! The window frames have all been done too

I have paint!

2009-08-24T17:12:00.003+10:00

I got to my house today just as the painters were leaving, talk about great timing!! It looks like the first coat is done for the entire house in one day! Not so sure I'm happy about that though when I see the quality of it, it's quite patchy in parts and I'm not sure if I am getting two or three coats of paint... hrmmm
There is also a couple of fails with the covering up of cabinets in the kitchen :( Does anyone know if they are able to remove the paint from the laminex or if they need replacing?

Walls are Bone and the roof is white and the front door will be Bienale inside and out once it's done

Hallway and front door - I wonder if the painters realise that the front door is meant to be the same inside as the outside and not the same as the walls

Outside not done

Master bedroom

First coat is a bit rough in quite a number of places

Family, meals and kitchen which is all covered up... sort of

Kitchen, meals and family room

A bit thin... will have to make sure I check for these kinds of things after the final coat

Fail! I hope they have something that will clean the paint off my kitchen cabinets

Even bigger fail - again I hope they can clean this up

Garage

Update and TDL

2009-08-24T12:41:00.004+10:00

So a quick update, painters should be being busy little bee's at my house starting today and the tiler is booked in to start on Friday! B my SS should be back on deck on Monday, so hopefully Monday or Tuesday I could have a date for the Final Inspection! -squeal-

I called a removalist company today and got a quote of $470 for the move so I've told them I will let them know when I have a date! I've also called my fencing guy and left him a message as he hasn't given me a quote yet :(

The past few day's I've been thinking a LOT about what to do once I am in my house and making a bit of a list. I started off thinking about my vegie patch and how I was going to water it. I figure I will install drip irrigation that can hook up to either the rain water tank or mains water. I then figured I should investigate the water restrictions and quickly discovered that you can no longer get exemptions for watering new turf - you can't water ANY grass with mains water anymore! Fair enough I suppose too. What this means is that I will either need an almost full rain water tank or some kind of grey water system. I figure I will run drip irrigation lines on top of the soil and under the turf and run it back to the rank and have the option for hooking up some grey water to it too.
At the Home Show on the weekend I found this nifty little grey water system that is the size of a giant wheelie bin. It comes with some filtery stuff for the in water (so say from your washing machine) and then also has a pump and a hose connected to it and as you need to use grey water within 24hrs it's the perfect size! I could use that to water my lawn with from a fixed point near the back door and also be able to wheel it around the garden to water plants! Noice!

Anyway, so with all this thinking about irrigation for the lawn and vegies I realised that it might take a bit longer to do the garden and I should probably wait until it is done before I get a dog too :( It just makes sense to do it that way though.

So here is my To Do List for once I am in my house and in no specific order at all - I will work out the order once I am in and see which one annoys me the quickest and needs doing:

Blinds
Curtains
Vegie garden beds
Irrigation for vegie garden
Water tank
Grey water wheelie bin
water tank pump
Irrigation for lawn
Lawn
Front garden

Fixing stage photo fest

2009-08-22T20:26:00.004+10:00

I went for one of my regular visits today and found an open door! Wooohoo!!
The painters have arrived and taken all the doors off ready for painting although I seem to be 2 doors short which is a bit odd. I also found some paint tins hiding in the kitchen cupboards!

I got asked by someone also building a Regent 21 to take photo's of the cupboards so that's why I have taken them - enjoy Craig!

Now, time for LOTS of photo's from this week at the house

Chateau Lisa - notice the garage door to the backyard

Fixing of the front door

Fixing of the internal garage door

Skirting boards in the garage

Not needed? I think they changed the garage internal door

Garage door to backyard

I have a portico roof!

I love it!

The thingy over the garage

Ooooooh a door is open - this means ACCESS!! woohoo!

Ensuite basins

Ensuite basins

RHS ensuite cupboard

LHS ensuite cupboard

The doors are off again and ready to be repainted

Window frame

Window frame

Pantry cupboard

Pantry shelf

Island bench cupboard, between the cutlery drawers and the dishwasher and some paint!

Under the sink

Kitchen sink

To the left of the sink and more paint!

RHS of stove

LHS of range hood

Above range hood

RHS of range hood

I have a laundry sink

The laundry cupboard

Bathroom cabinet

Bathroom cupboad - way too small :(

Bathroom

Linen cupboard

Skirting boards

The black thing in the backyard

Cows

Rabbits!

Ducks!

Penultimate Invoice

2009-08-21T10:20:00.003+10:00

Now that I've seen with my own eyes that the fixing has been completed I just phoned the bank to request the penultimate invoice to be paid! Wow! I'm only one payment away from being in my house!! One final payment, a measly 10% of the overall cost.

I really hope I get some dates soon so that I can give notice on where I am currently living and not have to pay another full month of rent!

This weekend I'm going to pack some more boxes, I think I will pack up the entire bike room

No paint for you!

2009-08-20T21:21:00.003+10:00

No sign of the painters... On Tuesday when I went through I noticed that someone had drawn circles and other lines in certain spots on the plaster, so maybe it was the quality inspectors and they need to be fixed before the painters start... My SS being on leave probably wont be helping either, ahh well I can't blame him for having a holiday, we are all humans and need time off :)

I can however confirm that the fixing stage is now complete and I have a garage door to the backyard now :)

Understanding the handover procedure

2009-08-20T12:24:00.003+10:00

I just had a great conversation with N my Admin person at PD. Firstly, B my SS is on leave this week and all of next - things should still be done and it's probably a good time in regards to my build with the painters scheduled to start today and then the tilers can come in. In the mean time one of the construction managers will be looking after it all for me.

So PD Access (not sure if it is all of PD or not) are currently changing their handover procedures a bit. They used to schedule the final inspection, PCI and settlement from when the final inspection was booked in for. Now they are booking in the final inspection and then based on the results of that they are then scheduling the PCI and settlement which kinda makes sense.

Final inspection is the inspection done on the building works and the Certificate Of Occupancy (COO) is based on this and it is this inspection that decides if the COO can be released or not.
If it is decided that the COO will be released and nothing else needs doing for that, then they will schedule the PCI for a few days later and settlement is always 7 days from the PCI!

As my SS is on holiday's, N is waiting to speak to the construction manager about my file (should be tomorrow) to see where it's at and if the final inspection can be booked in yet or not and also to confirm the actual procedures as it's still a new process. Also, a date probably wont be booked in until my SS is back from leave.

Hopefully the painters have started today!

Oh dear

2009-08-19T19:28:00.002+10:00

I just came to a possibly sad realisation - I think that today is the first Wednesday since construction on my house started that I haven't been out to see my house, in 11 weeks!!

HAHAHAHA what a house building loser I am!! The even sadder bit is I know I am probably not the only one!! Share with me your loserness! I don't care, I love it as I get to see my house grow bit by bit :D

More to learn

2009-08-19T14:07:00.003+10:00

Not having a garden at all I am a bit slow on the uptake for where we are at with water restrictions etc at the moment. According to Yarra Valley Water

Lawns cannot be watered by residents, businesses and local councils. There are some exempt playing surfaces that can be watered.
Manual dripper systems can be used between 6 am - 8 am on your watering days.*
Hand-held hoses fitted with a trigger nozzle, watering cans and buckets can be used to water gardens between 6 am – 8 am on your watering days.

Sooooooo seeing as you can no longer apply for exemptions for new grass, it looks like a water tank will be a higher priority than the actual garden - fair call too.

It might also be time to start research watering systems to use too seeing as I know nothing about them all.

I figure for my vegie patch I will use some kind of hose that sites on top of the soil (under the lucern mulch though) and will try to maybe connect that up to an automatic timer and something similar for the rest of my garden too.

Gee another steep learning curve ahead of me!

Mr Fixing has returned

2009-08-19T08:19:00.002+10:00

On Monday I started to get a bit antsy about the lack of work at my house over the previous week. I knew that the painters were scheduled for later this week so I wasn't too concerned, however if there had been no action at the house yesterday I was going to ring B and find out what was going on. Thankfully Mr Fixing man was at the house doing his thing! This also meant that I got to go into my house again!! So yesterday he was working on the skirts and the window edge/frame bits and he said that the painters were coming on Thursday - YaY!!!

Letterboxes

2009-08-15T21:09:00.004+10:00

I've been a bit against a concrete letter box as the entire estate seems to have them, however I realised today that there are mostly metal ones in my street! Soooooo I am thinking that a concrete one might be ok and I will paint it to match the render colour and this way I also then don't need to worry about digging a hole and getting concrete etc to install a letterbox

Comfycouchyness

2009-08-14T21:15:00.004+10:00

Today I made my first big purchase for my house!! My first ever brand new couch! Yes, my first ever!! I've lived out of home for about 10 years but all my couches and chairs have either been from an op shop or hand me downs.... but not anymore!! YaY!!! Well, not after a 10-12 week wait :(

This is it, 2 recliners and a 3 seater couch and the 3 seater couch has a recliner on each end too! It is soooooooooooo comfy! I'm getting it in the espresso/chocolate colour

In other news, today there was no one working on my house! That's 2-3 days now and PD 24/7 says my house should be Fixed by today and it isn't... there are no skirting boards or window frames and not even all the doors are hung! hrmmm.... Will call my SS on Monday.

I've also started the hunt for a letterbox - what a nightmare!

Fixing has begun!

2009-08-12T17:51:00.003+10:00

Well the fixing stage has begun and I have doors and shelves and on Monday I got downpipes!

The photo's are taken through my dirty windows so excuse the quality

Chateau Lisa - see my downpipe!

Downpipes!

A thingy - is this important, can it be buried? I think it's to do with the storm water

Deliveries! No idea what for (no not the gyprock, that's old)

I think this is the outdoor plaster for the portico roof

Meals and family room - something's been happening

Master bedroom looking into the WIR - I have a door and a shelf!!

A shelf in the cupboard of bed 2

Another door!

From the rumpus window looking to the front door

Templates measured for the kitchen bench

My pantry has shelves!

I am soooooooo sick of mud! This is my alfresco area

I think someone got bogged in my driveway

This is my made street - it looks muddier than the dirt road behind my block

My house!! :D (with over the road stealing power)

Being fixed

2009-08-12T10:28:00.004+10:00

I've been quiet on here the past few days as not much has really been happening - I'm now at that point where it feels like it all slows down as the fiddly work that takes time begins.

I emailed my N my CSA on Friday and she has helped to explain the whole handover process a bit for me, which I kind of already knew but was getting a bit unsure as some builders do it differently. She said as soon as she knows some dates for me then she will let me know - I just want to be in by the end of September!!

I went past on Monday night not expecting to see any changes and I was very happy to see that I now have downpipes!! This should help reduce the amount of water all over the place which equals less mud!

Fixing should have started yesterday with the skirts and architraves being done which should take a week and then towards the end of next week the painter should start and could take a week and then the tiler will take a week and then 10days for the fit out and then maybe add a week onto that.... that takes me to about 18th to 25th September which is 5 - 6 weeks which is also around week 16-17 of construction mark

I also mentioned to B that I am hoping to move in by the end of September and he seems to think that shouldn't be a problem.

I've just checked PD24/7 site and it looks like my fixing invoice will arrive on Friday or Monday - my penultimate invoice and payment!! Woooooohoooooo!

I really LOVE seeing this thermometer grow

Including the kitchen sink!

2009-08-07T20:47:00.003+10:00

Today was the first time I was really locked out -pouts-

My bathroom and ensuite cabinets and sinks have been installed as well as my kitchen sink!

The kitchen sink

Ensuite cabinet and basins

Bathroom cabinet and basin

Lets hope so

2009-08-07T08:24:00.002+10:00

I've just realised that I have hopefully just paid my last full month of rent!! YaY!! My rental month is 12th to 12th and I hope to be in by the end of September! How exciting!!

I have a kitchen and cleaned bricks!

2009-08-06T18:39:00.005+10:00

My kitchen is in -squeal- I LOVE it!! Ahhh so glad to see all the colours come together so well and look good! It's always difficult from such small sample cards!

Now that they have fixed the garage they have also cleaned all my bricks! My doors, skirts and architraves have also been delivered - it's all go go go!!

I got a quote today on security doors, about $1600 for the three which is steel frame and steel mesh on the front door and family room sliding door and a diamond grill pattern aluminium door for the laundry - I'm happy enough with that quote and they seem like really nice guys. He told me they need 4 weeks to make them, but if it takes longer than that to install then it's no worries, they will just hold them for me. They also don't need a deposit!

I also got a guy out to do a quote for me for fences and I should get that in the mail. Sensational guys, really nice and friendly and turned up on time! However the same can't be said for the guy meant to be doing the concrete quote today :( I called him and he said he totally forgot and hadn't written it down - at least he was honest! He is going to come out on Sunday morning to give me a quote. I'm also still waiting for the concreters quote from yesterday to come through...

The brick cleaners have chipped quite a lot of bricks, some deeply but most is just around the edges and I'm really not sure I'm all that fussed about it to be honest, although I haven't checked the alfresco area - after a few weeks the colour will soften and should blend in with the rest... hrmmm not sure if it's worth while making a fuss over or not.

It's all happening and now for the photos!!

Chateau Lisa

LHS of garage all fixed

RHS of garage - all even!

Nice and clean!!

Blind side of house all cleaned

Garage all cleaned

A chipped brick -not sure if I am all that fussed about it though

Another chipped brick

More chips, but there really aren't a lot as deep as like this one

Chips n the bricks - there are LOTS like this though... again not sure if I mind so much, the colour will dull over time

Another like the previous one

Door and door frames have been delivered!

Skirting boards and architraves have been delivered too!

My kitchen!!!! YaY!!! -squeal- top cupboards are Rock Maple and the bottom cupboards are Fini Chocolate

Pot drawers on the left side of the oven

Right side of the oven

The island bench, the sink will go over the closest cupboard

I'm going to need a step ladder for the top cupboards

Right hand side of the dishwasher location and my cutlery drawers

A different configuration

Fridge and oven on the left, island bench on the right

Vents under the cupboards above the fridge - not a storage place for wine or chocolate! ;)

Laundry bench and cupboard

Laundry benchtop - Laminex Limestone

I love it!!

Cornices and cabinets delivery

2009-08-05T18:09:00.005+10:00

My cornices were done on Monday!! Gee it looks so good now. Today they also went through and sanded all the walls for the plaster joins so they are all nice and smooth now and the cabinets have all been delivered!!

Cornices are in

Bulkhead is done

Closeup

From the front door

Ducks enjoying all the water

Family, meals and kitchen - I love the natural light!

Cabinets delivery!!

More deliveries - the colour is a bit dusty from the sanding, but this is the colour of my lower kitchen cabinets, all bathroom cabinets and laundry cabinet - Chocolate Fini in velour finish. The light makes it look a bit grey, it isn't - it's like milk chocolate!!

Meals and family room with the deliveries

Security seal

Quotes ahoy!

2009-08-04T10:43:00.002+10:00

I am getting organised now and feeling a lot more in control!

I have a concreter, a fencer and a security door company all coming to site on Thursday after work to give me quotes! Noice! I'm also waiting to hear back from another concreter and I probably should get another security door quote too. I've also spoken to my window supplier and they are going to send me a proper quote for my fly screens.

I'm still not sure what colour to do the driveway and if to stencil it or not. I was originally going to go charcoal/black but my house is all based on browns so now I'm thinking a brown colour? Although I'm a bit worried about how that might turn out.

My cornices went up yesterday! I got some photo's but haven't had time to load them up.... I'm not going to get out there tonight but hopefully tomorrow!

Starting to panic

2009-08-02T11:57:00.003+10:00

I'm starting to go into a bit of a mild panic about everything! Ignore the whole fact I need to pack as I really don't think it will take me that long to do, but I still need to organise all of the following:

Fencing quote and then work out when to get it done (before or after I move in?)
Driveway quotes and what kind of driveway do I want? Due to all the mud I'm leaning towards black/charcoal or a brown coloured one maybe
Alfresco area - paved or concreted? Do I spend the extra money and get it paved or not?
Fly screens and security doors need to be ordered
I need to look at couches and get an idea of price and how long till they are delivered etc
I need to buy redi shades for all my windows as blinds will be a while off
Speak to removalists

Of course a lot of this stuff depends on what kind of bonus I get from work this year and I may not know that for another 2-3 weeks! ARGH!

Plaster is finished!!

2009-08-01T21:03:00.004+10:00

The plastering is finished!! All in one day (and night) amazing!! I got to site today to again find the front door wide open and all other doors unlocked - ahh well it gave me access!

I then tried to move some bricks on a trolley I borrowed from my dad - FAIL! Toooooo muddy! Ahh well at least I tried.

The photo's today are from my iPhone as my camera battery died

Laundry

Throne

Bathroom and bathtub with a view

Shower

Bathroom hand basin area

Looking from the rumpus to the front door

Kitchen

Meals and family room

Meals and kitchen

Casualties

Mud! This is just from driving on the road! I had trouble driving out as the car was sliding everywhere and brakes weren't really working!

Plastered!

2009-07-31T21:27:00.002+10:00

I've been plastered!! Woohoo!! Gawd it looks soooooooooooo different! So much lighter and brighter and houselike!

I turned up and there were about 6-8 asian guys all working on my house, all doing their thing and so I didn't get too many photo's as I didn't want to get in their way. I then went past again at 6:30pm, in the dark, and they were still working!! OMG! They had all these flood lights lighting up the house - amazing!

Garage

Garage

Master bedroom

Ensuite shower and tile niche

Ensuite - Insert basins and cabinets here

Family room

Kitchen and fridge cavity

Meals window

Entrance

Fixed! Beam has been moved just needs some bricks

Full steam ahead

2009-07-31T12:19:00.002+10:00

I rang B my SS this morning and he is going to get the light switch in the garage fixed up but he can't do anything about the lights at the back of the house as that would need to be done under a variation, ahh well I'm sure I can work out a fix for it once I am in there :)

I asked B how long he expects is left in the build and he said 5-6 weeks! YaY!! That's the first time I've actually asked for a date and I'm glad it's inline with what I have been thinking and hoping for.
So plaster is starting today and the cabinets are booked to start next Thursday. Fix stage will then get started and then tiling and then a general once over or something - how awesome!!

I now really need to pull my finger out and organise some quotes for driveways and fencing. It's such a shame that I couldn't have done that while on holidays due to the brickies, but ahh well these things happen.

I saw some guys doing some fencing in my estate the other day so I stopped and got their phone number and will hopefully get them to do the fencing. They mentioned that if the developer has to pay for half of two sides then he will do it for the same rate as what the developer would be charged! Nice! I kind of hope that my neighbour starts soon so that I can see how long their garage is as I wont worry about fencing that bit as it is going to be on the boundary.

Also, now that the brickies sand has been spread around the place I can start doing measurements for my driveway and get quotes on that too!

Sparkys have been!

2009-07-30T18:24:00.005+10:00

I have the power!! The sparkys have been and put their spaghetti cables everywhere!

Oh and so much for being locked up, not only was my front door WIDE open, but the other doors were all unlocked too! Ahh well, it gave me easy access at least! Oh and of course I locked them all up when I left :D

The sparky has been!

Spaghetti! See the water? I think when they drilled through the wood for the cables they hit one of the laundry pipes - oops!

Powerpoint in the foreground and light switch before the door. I really wanted this light switch on the other side of the door so it's on the side of the door jam that the door locks into, not a big deal I spose :(

I put this light on the corner but thought it would go closer, I think I would prefer it on the other wall - do you think I can get this changed?

Plaster has been delivered!!!

Cornices (or something) too!

Locked out photos

2009-07-29T16:52:00.002+10:00

Ok I've finally got the photo's to show

Delivered and waiting to be installed

Bathtub frame

Building inspector has been and the walls have been straightened ready for the plaster

Wood shavings everywhere from the walls being straightened

Bricks removed to make the beam straight - it must be easier to move the beam than pull the brick wall down

Chateau Lisa

The site has been cleaned and the brickie sand spread all over the driveway area - better than in the garden!

Although the sand now contains traces of broken roof tiles... hrmm!

My front door!!

Although it has the wrong handle.... I assume my nice good expensive one will be installed closer to handover??

All cleaned up! No more wood shavings

I really hope that they empty this before installing the bathtub

Front hallway with my door

My front door, again

A new sign! Pitty, I liked the Mernda! addition to the old one ;)

I'm a rates payer!

2009-07-29T16:09:00.003+10:00

That's right, today in the mail I got my first ever rates notice!!! It's actually kind of exciting! It's the first bit of mail for my new house!! -squeal- It even has my actual street number on it (which I already knew) and not just a lot number!! Unfortunately though, like most of my snail mail letters these days, it was a bill, but a relatively small one compared to the other snail mail invoice I got today, my lock up invoice -faints-

According to council, my land is valued at less than what I paid for it but considering that the rates are calculated on this value I am MORE than happy for it to be lower :)

How adult like, I'm now paying a mortgage and council rates!!

Yes, I know it's VERY odd to be getting excited about a council rates notice, but it's the first one I have ever had and it's kind of a big thing in a way for me :D It's almost like a welcome letter to the City of Whittlesea!

(I'm such a loser I know! -puts l shaped hand to forehead- hahahahaha)

PD247 - locked up!

2009-07-29T11:15:00.001+10:00

My Porter Davis 24/7 login now shows me officially at being at lock up!! It sounds kinda silly but I just love seeing that little progress thermometer going up and up as the dates get put into the system! Also just seeing the official dates in there makes it all a bit more real too :D YaY!!

I'm locked out!!

2009-07-28T17:35:00.002+10:00

I'm locked out!! YaY!!! (and boooooooo!) Well I wasn't when I went to visit before, but the tradie was in the process of putting the doors on so I would be by now! I can't say I'm looking forward to the massive 35% invoice payment either, but ahh well!

I also have a bath tub frame, someone attacked my frame with a planer or something to level out the walls and padded out other bits and the building inspector attacked with the pink spray can!
They've also started removing some bricks to move the front wooden beam part of my garage forward to make the front of my garage square/straight/level/something!

I have pictures but they will have to wait as I don't have the time to upload them today.

I was talking to the tradie doing my doors and he said that they have 14 weeks to put the Porter Davis Access houses together, I told him I had 22.5 weeks in my contract and he just looked at me funny hehehe. So say PCI is in week 14 then that's only 6 weeks Wooohooo!! :D -happy dance-

Brickwork is completed

2009-07-24T19:25:00.004+10:00

My brick work is completed!!! Although there is a bit of a fail :( I was there this arvo taking a look and the framers turned up and started measuring lots of things to do with the garage. I asked them what was going on and after a bit they discovered that the brickies haven't done the garage walls that well and the front left pillar will probably need to be pulled down and re-done - nothing major and it shouldn't hold anything up.

Talking to the framer he told me how great B my SS is, and how he picks up even the smallest things and makes people re-do them etc and he is the best SS at PD that he deals with! This is the second person that has told me that! :D

I was trying to organise Kevin to do my pre-plaster inspection but he can't do it so I organised to get it done through someone else but but after my conversation today with the framer I have decided not to worry about it. Everyone keeps telling me how fantastic my SS is and how he picks up on everything and gets them sorted, so I am going to put all my faith and trust in my SS and save the cash.

Photo's time!!

Chateau Lisa

Front door

Master bedroom

:)

:)

Garage and family room window

Bed2 and meals door

Bathroom and bed 2

From the rear looking forward

Bed 3 and rumpus

window sill

laundry, kitchen and meals on the blind side

Hazards of a builders dog....

Casualty :(

My house all bricked up!

Left hand side of garage, notice the number of bricks - 1 and a bit

right hand side of garage - notice the number of bricks, only 1.... the LHS pillar will most likely be pulled down and re-done

2009-07-23T20:51:00.001+10:00

A quick update - the brickies should finish tomorrow, my aircon/heater guys are installing ducts on Monday, my walls are being straightened next week and then the plaster starts next Friday! So I'm also assuming that somewhere in there the sparky's will turn up to do their thing too.

Lock up is expected on Tuesday!

I've been trying to not post boring photo's of all my bricks until they are finished

Another moment

2009-07-20T22:27:00.003+10:00

Sometimes I get these random moments of

OMG I AM BUILDING A HOUSE!!! MY VERY OWN HOUSE!! A HOUSE FOR ME, MY OWN PLACE. I AM GOING TO LIVE IN MY OWN PLACE FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE!!!

Wow!!

-breathes deeply-

My brickies are doing a fantastic job! I sat there watching them for about 20 minutes today and the care that they took was really nice to see. One of the guys clearly didn't have as much experience as the other as he was taking longer, but he just seemed to take so much care in how each brick was laid that it really was beautiful to watch and you can really tell with their work that they take care and do a fantastic job! I love it!

More bricks!

2009-07-18T21:23:00.003+10:00

I didn't get out to my house yesterday but I did today and they have done quite a bit more bricking.

I am LOVING the colour of my bricks! The colour theme I used throughout the house was earthy neutral and I think that these bricks follow that well with their earthy browny clay appearance. I am so happy with them AND they don't seem to be used around my area

I'm really loving the earthy clay browny colour of the Boral Brushwood bricks!

Up close and personal

Garage

Garage and family room

Bathroom and bed 2

Bed 2

Bathroom

Bed 3 and rumpus

Bed 3, bathroom and bed 2

Bed 3

Rumpus

Waiting to be bricked

First bricks have been laid

2009-07-16T17:53:00.003+10:00

Yes that's right, the first lot of bricks have been laid!! I really like the colour too -phew- but once you get to the last photo today you will see the differences between the front and back of the brick and the pellets showed the back of the bricks!
There's quite a bit of colour difference even just an hour later in the different light

Chateau Lisa

Boral Brushwood bricks - I really like the colour

Close up

Boral Brushwood bricks

Taken about 1 hour later the colour looks different but I still like them

Close up - Again taken an hour later

Expansion joint

Rear of the garage

Living area's and outdoor area

Bed 2

Casualties

Holding the door frame in place

Family room window

Bed 2

Bed 2

Inside the garage - notice how different the colour is to the face of the brick - helps to show why I wasn't sure about my bricks when I first saw them!

Movement on the ranch?

2009-07-16T10:37:00.002+10:00

Wow almost a week between postings! Not much to report really as nothing has happened. Brickies are scheduled to start today but that all depends on if they finished their other job yesterday or not. I went past yesterday and someone was there sorting all the bricks out though so that's a positive sign.

In three weeks, the only things that have been done are gutters (1 day), roof (2 days), fascia (1 day), wrapping (1 day) and the solar panel got installed in there too - the lack of work is getting a bit frustrating. I can understand when it's due to lack of tradies and they need to finish jobs before they can do mine but it's still frustrating seeing all the dollars it's costing me as each week goes by.

I've also had a few quotes this week for blinds - the prices seem to range from $5k - $8k - quite a difference! I'm going to get another couple today.

Hopefully this afternoon I will have some photo's of my bricks having been laid and then I will get a real feel for how they look.

Wrapped!

2009-07-10T20:22:00.004+10:00

I've been wrapped! I have a green house! My bricks have also been delivered and my solar hot water panel has been installed!

Fascia

Shower mixer

Ummm... thanks, when I go to YOUR place I will make sure I use YOUR door to clean my shoes too!! >:(

My house!

All wrapped up

Inside the wrapping - it's all dark inside now

Some new plumbing - it's for the solar HW

Wrapped and some bricks

My bricks, the face colour isn't as red thankfully!

Face of my brick Boral Brushwood - I thought they were going to be darker and browner. It will be good to see them getting done to get a better idea

Solar hot water panel

All the plumbing for the HWS

My house

I was about to leave and noticed the pointing has been finished

Finished pointing

I wonder when my bricks will start being done

Fly screens and security doors

2009-07-08T12:03:00.004+10:00

I just called my window supplier (A&L windows) to get a quote on fly screens and I am wondering if anyone can comment on the prices:

Awning (full length) = $45ech
Sliding (any size) = $30 each

So I have 3 full length awning and 10 sliders so that's a total of $435

I also asked about the sliding doors and they range from $445 for a basic one with diamond mesh and key lock through to $800 for a marine grade steel mesh slider with a key lock.

So say I get a $800 door for the meals slider, a basic $445 one for my laundry, that's ~~$2115~~ $1680 and that doesn't include my front flyscreen/security door!

Thinking about it, I'm wondering how dark/thick the steel mesh screen will be, I may actually prefer the diamond pattern one on my meals slider door to let my light in.

Also, I'm thinking that I might just get a diamond pattern one for my front door too. It will match my garage door and window frames and will give the front of the house more colour - I spose I might be better off waiting to see my garage door before deciding on that one. It would be nice to get a steel grade mesh security door on the front, but I'm not that concerned about my main front door being hidden as it's not like I deliberately upgraded to a nicer looking one or anything

I have a roof

2009-07-03T17:35:00.006+10:00

Wow I have a roof and I love it!! It was weird and fantastic to be walking through my frame, under the roof while it was raining and I was dry!! YaY!!

Also, the bridge to Laurimar from Plenty Road opened today woohoo!

I also discovered today that I am responsible for the water bills so I rang N to see if they can do something about the water issue... anyway photo's!

Chateau Lisa - with a roof!! the tiles are Monier Barramundi

Garage roof tiles

The mud in my entrance hallway :(

The green pipe is the new pipe to my toilet for the water tank - the plumber has fixed it all up

Inside and under the roof tiles

Casualties

Roof tiles over the kitchen, meals and family

My house

A rainbow appeared over Mernda Villages as I was leaving

The bridge is open to Laurimar from Plenty Road and the rainbow finished there, I reckon it's landing on Andy's house!

Taken on the new bridge - I spy with my little eye..... :D

Water video

2009-07-02T19:30:00.003+10:00

I took a video of the water running today and all the water all over the slab....

Delivery - Roof tiles

2009-07-02T18:35:00.005+10:00

I got there today as my roof tiles were being delivered! YaY! Lets hope it rains all night and not at all tomorrow so that they can start putting them on.

I also spoke to B my SS and he said he had no idea I was getting plumbing put in for a water tank to the two toilets. He said the plumber knew but had over looked it (oops!) and hadn't actually been told where it was going even though N knew where. Anyway, it's going to be sorted :)

The house:

Roof tiles being delivered

The water was left on :(

LOTS of water everywhere

I now have a tap!

Some wood delivered with the roof tiles for something unknown

Gas

Roof tiles - Barramundi, the colour is a bit off due to the flash

This is closer to the right colour - Barramundi

Cooking with gas (soon!)

The house with the roof tiles

Mud!