Don't fret over the Fretwork!

I interupt my Saturday night horror movie to bring you a House Update.

I know my stuff. Give me zombies, werewolves or vamps anyday.

I'm watching a remake (or trainwreck) of The Howling, but it's more like The Stinking, because it stinks.

I know this because I've googled the ending, I'm downloading photos and I'm tweeting while listening to this stinky movie.

It's like a poor mans Twilight, made without the vampires and the trillion dollar budget.

And without Jacob Black, so yes it does particularly stink.

But I'm so happy to present to you our Fretwork.

Isn't. It. Divine ♥

We have two other ceiling roses to put up. I love them, but I don't envy the painter who has to paint them!

Random

I'm really overdue for a random post so sit back and enjoy!

I had a day at home today. I really, really needed this as I've been feeling quite overwhelmed with all that is going on in my life.

Between my work, the kids and their activities, The Money Pit, the farm, my back and discussing paint colours and tile profiles, I'm at the point where I feel very stressed.

I'm being pulled in so many different directions, and I haven't any time just to...be....

Most days my head is swimming with facts and figures, and dates and schedules, and appointments, and usually I can cope very well with my frantic life, but l find myself worrying about things that haven't even happened yet.

It's time to slow down.

Today I took the kids to school and went to my physio appointment. I came home and it was....quiet. The Hubbster was at work so I did the washing, stood in the sunshine, talked to the guinea fowl and just.....exhaled.

I watched the midday movie while tidying the loungeroom, and I can't believe how relaxed and calm I feel.

I really needed today.

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Mr C (aged 8) took me on a movie date last Sunday night to watch Real Steel. We sat in the front row and ate popcorn and held hands ♥

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We have been living in our shed for exactly 3 years today. Hurrah. Said totally with sarcasm.

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I think I've accepted the fact that we may not move into the house by Christmas. Time has beaten us.....we've waited this long, another month or two isn't going to matter. Really.

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15 years ago, I was in America having the time of my life. I still remember it like it was yesterday......I'd love you to read all about my exploits so feel free to click the category "America"....

Look for "My Roadtrip: An Aussie in America", which is a day by day account of my holiday (strictly for diehards).

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Speaking of America, I was in Colorado during the end of October 1996, and spent an amazing Halloween there.

I have a soft spot, therefore for Halloween and every October 31st I "celebrate" by watching one of my favourite movies Trick 'r Treat.

In the dark of course!

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House Update

There has been alot of excitement at The Money Pit this week.

Our water tanks arrived on Monday, along with 3 plumbers and a digger operator!

We now have 4 x 25,000 litre tanks, a septic tank and alot of pipes and cables!




I think I can....I think I can....

Bring on the rainwater!

We also now have the louvres above the internal doors..




They can be left open for beautiful breezes throughout the house, while keeping the doors closed to the rooms of the teenagers to be for privacy!

Our fretwork and ceiling roses have arrived and the tiler starts on Monday.

It's go go go here........

House Update

Watch out! I have myself a kitchen and I'm not afraid to use it!

Actually I don't want to get it dirty. It's too shiny and new!

Here are some before and afters...... complete with timber saw and bench!






I've been asked some questions this week about my kitchen, some of which include:-
"Farmers Wifey, are you going to cook in your kitchen?"
No, it's too shiny and new.

"Farmers Wifey, are you going to let the kids in the kitchen?".
No, it's too shiny and new.

"Farmers Wifey, is The Hubbster allowed in the kitchen?"
Yes, only if he cooks me an omelette.

"Farmers Wifey, how much did your kitchen cost?"
How rude! No comment.

I am in love with our kitchen and so happy with the company we went with. Professional, courteous and on the mark with everything!

We decided on a 2 pac glossy finish in Antique White USA (our absolute favourite colour), with patterned cutouts on the sides to add to the country feel.

The benchtops are a Diamond Gloss Pure Mineralstone, with rolled edges.

The handles are a simple bar design, which we matched with the handles on the pantry doors.








We have soft close drawers, a double sink in the island bench and lovely country style capping along the top of the cupboards.

I wanted some glass shelves too, and chrome downlights on the undersides of the top cupboards, which will look amazing when wired up!

The design is very simple and free flowing, with lots of space besides the cupboards and area where the fridge and oven will sit.

Speaking of which, we really love this and it comes with a matching rangehood!



It's made by Glem and I love that the oven is both gas or electric, so I can choose how I want to cook on the day. I do love gas, however, but it's great having a choice!

Do you like it?

Tell me something I don't know!

Betcha never thought you'd see a Muhammad Ali reference here!

Apparently, I have a habit of calling out and saying weirdo things to The Hubbster, when he's leaving for work at 4.30 am....

This is what he tells me.....I think he's just teasing me........

I don't really think I say these things...but how would I know? I'm still in blissful slumber at that early hour.....

This morning I can kind of recall him getting dressed and asking if I wanted the door locked on his way out, and he says that I said, in my best Muhammad Ali impression:-

I am the Greatest! I am the Greatest!

Yeah right. As if I'd say that.

I don't need to state the obvious!

The Phantom Snapper

Our sneaky snapper has done it again.

You may remember a few posts back, where I found some photos on my digital camera, taken by my 6 year old daughter.

She's done it again. Here's a sample.

I love seeing the world through her eyes.....from her height.

Which is short.

House Update

It's all happening at The Money Pit. My head is swimming with times, dates, tradies and paint colours!

I have so much to tell all of you.

The cornice is up and it looks magical! The profile is called New York, and it is very stylish and suits the house very well.






The plumbers were here last week and installed our downpipes and the stormwater pipes underneath the house. I must say, they are very neat!




Our carpenter has been working very hard every weekend and is working away on the skirting boards and architraves. He has started putting up the chair rails and picture rails and now the house is looking very traditional.






We have a super busy week this week. The floor sanding man came today and did a rough sand of the kitchen floor, because on Wednesday........the kitchen goes in! Oh the glory, I'm so excited!

The water proofer comes tommorrow for our bathrooms and laundry and I have to phone the tiler who is also starting this week.

And the painter started today as well!

We are waiting for the fretwork and ceiling roses to arrive. I'm really looking forward to seeing how they look!

The plumbers are back next Monday as our water tanks arrive and they have to dig trenches and place and connect the tanks.

Over the next 3 weeks, there will be a huge input of work. It's such an exciting time for us.

The kids are starting to talk about their rooms, and how they want to decorate.

I'm just thinking about my child free craft room, and the fact I'll be able to go to the bathroom without walking through the rain. Bliss.

Davy May - 12 years.

David Joseph May

31/5/1938 - 16/10/1999

Miss you like crazy, Dad...

Remembering....

Today is the International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.

Today I remember my 6 little angels who I never met.

And I think about what could have been.....

We always wanted 4 children and we were blessed and very lucky to have had our three. They have grown into energetic, boisterous, beautiful country kids, who I love so dearly.

I always wonder about the others........

Boys or girls. Siblings. Blonde hair or brown.

Recurrent miscarriages are not only hard on the body, but are heart-wrenching emotionally.

With no explanation, it can push you into a very dark place, where the process itself can be even more wanted than the result.

Because it is just so frustrating.

For a brief moment in time, everything is sublime. And then that dark place envelopes you and the ground falls away.

Over and over again...

Sometimes I think to myself, we should just try one more time. I know I am very fertile, even at my age....my body tells me so.

Just one more time...just try......

But I know in my heart it wasn't meant to be. And I wasted so much time wanting, just wanting, what I couldn't have.

I had my blinkers on... focused on staying pregnant and not losing baby after baby that I didn't see what was right in front of me.

I didn't see how blessed I was.

And now as I kiss my babes goodnight I know all is how it should be.......♥♥♥

Go me!

I've come to appreciate a good stretch. I have strict instructions from my physio to do my back exercises before my feet hit the floor in the morning, and 5 times during the day.

I even did them yesterday at work on the floor!

My back is improving. I no longer have painful back spasms, but I have an ache now and then and I am so scared of twinging my back again, my movements are very slow and deliberate.

The physio was excellent. Very knowledgeable and full of ideas and suggestions. He looked at my xrays and explained to me exactly what my back is doing.

Or not doing in my case.

Unfortunately I am stuck with a bad back and I now have a management plan which includes stretching, occasional pain relief, and a gym programme which I am super excited about.

I also have to become very friendly with this guy called Pilates. I'll be starting classes next week, after a one on one visit with the instructor this week.

Pilates is excellent for building core strength, something which I am lacking, and once I have that, my back will be somewhat protected.

I had another physio appointment today, and I have definately improved. I still can't touch my toes, and that is a real goal for me. I have nil flexibility and I would snap in half if I even tried to touch the floor!

Last week I was in so much pain, the thought of stripping off to my bra in front of the physio didn't even phase me. Along with my hairy legs, which were impossible to shave because I couldn't bend forward, my care factor was zero.

My physio looked at the xrays and said "see that dark colour, they are your muscles which are not working, and see that other colour, that is fat - no offence of course".

"None taken", I said.

He is very genuine and caring and brutal after todays deep tissue massage, which has left my back bruised, which we expected.

I'm allowed to stretch, and do pilates, and walk (but not uphill) and I can start a gym weights programme in a month or two. I'm really looking forward to getting back into exercise and moving this body again.

I've really not been focused on exercise this year after January's jogging #epicfail, and I do miss it.

Of course, I won't be Bikini Ready for summer but who the hell cares anyway.......


I've got boardshorts.

Saturday photos

My 6 year old borrowed my camera today and took some snaps.

They are deep.

Very deep.......

House Update

Lots happening at The Money Pit this week!

The plumbers have been here, doing our septic and stormwater.




Our water tanks arrive in two weeks which will keep the boys busy for a little while longer.

The bathroom tiles are being delivered this Friday, and the tiler starts in two weeks.

The plasterer also comes back in two weeks to fit our cornice and do his final fit out and check, before the painter starts.

Our awesome carpenter has finished fitting the doors, and has now started on the architraves, the chair rails and the skirting boards. Don't they look amazing!








We decided on a special feature for under the windows called a "nosing" which just looks beautiful!




Considering it's only 11 weeks until Christmas (egads) we are striving to be finished by then.

We have a good schedule going on, so we are just sticking to that and hoping our time (and our money) doesn't run out!

Please wish us luck. I need my house!