April 17, 2012

House Update

Every day we are one step closer to living in our dream house. The Money Pit is almost done!

We are not counting down in years or months, but in weeks!

Today I booked the tiler to finish the bathroom tiling, and that will be done this week. The plasterer is coming in a couple of weeks to put the gyprock up and finish the garage.

We have ordered the three bathroom showerscreens and they arrive in three weeks!

The Hubbster has been busy building stairs, for the front, back and side of the house, and today he installed the sink in the garage.

The rangehood is up in the kitchen, but not yet finished. And the holes - all three hundred and fifty plus! have been drilled into the verandah posts!

So what else do we have to do this week? Oh that's right! Order the stainless steel wire for the verandah handrails.






We are on the home stretch now! For my new readers I wanted to backtrack a little and explain why it means so much to finally move into this house!

Four years ago, we decided that a move to the country, from suburbia, was what we needed to do. We bought our 75 acre farm, sold our very comfortable house and moved into a shed, right next to a house that was started by the previous owner.

The bearers and joists were done, and the shed was big, open and dusty. It was surrounded by temporary "dongas" or site sheds, and we have made these our home.

We have a loungeroom, a kitchen, a bedroom, a computer room and a storage room for everything we own. We walk out of these rooms into the central area that is our shed.

We have been living very simply...most things we own are in storage, we all sleep in the same room, we have no storage for clothes or personal belongings and if I have to wipe any more gecko poo from my dining table I'll scream.

The shed gets dusty and dirty, and we've had snakes, spiders, frogs and annoying stick insects called Kevin.

From this:-



To this:-




Not too mention the odd cyclone, wind and rain that comes in sideways into the shed, making it impossible to walk to the bathroom without getting soaking wet.

Three and a half years we have been living like this.

I've been frustrated, impatient, and embarassed by our living arrangements, but you know, we are so much closer as a family, and believe it or not, I'll remember these times as heart warming family memories that I'll never be able to replace.

People tell me I'm crazy. Or patient. I think I am both.

I know that once we move into our house, everything will be worth it.

Our house is a 550sqm Queenslander with wrap around verandahs. It is big, and airy and beautiful.

I long for the day I can sit on my verandah with a book in the breeze, and a feeling of satisfaction that we really did it.

That moment is not very far away......

23 comments:

Mum on the Run said...

Wow! Wow! Wow!
Oh so close now.
I'm so excited for you.
:-) xx

Farmers Wifey said...

Thank you lovely, and I am SO EXCITED for you....awwww..xoxo

Bri said...

I've been following for a little while but I didn't know the back story. That's so nice that the experience has brought you all closer. I can't wait for the day you write that first post from your lovely new house!

Anonymous said...

I can feel your excitement and anticipation. We've had friends do exactly what you are doing. I know what this would mean to you.

Erin said...

So agree with you, you do become closer as a family. Now that we are in our house, albeit still not finished, but spread out more, no longer living on top of one another, I confess to missing those moments at times.
How very thrilling for you!! So excited that the moment is near:)

brismod said...

You deserve a medal! Seriously. You'll have to have a virtual house-warming when you are in. I'll bring the margaritas. xxx

Farmers Wifey said...

Thank you guys for you supportive! comments, I really appreciate them all! @ Brismod yes I was thinking of doing something like that and making it a linky love sort of thing..and I'll put you down for the margaritas for sure xo

Amy said...

I am excited for you too Michelle!

And I don't think you are crazy, I have thought about doing exactly what you are doing at the moment. B is not so keen on the idea though.

♥.Trish.♥ Drumboys said...

So excited you are almost HOME - you give me hope we will get there one day.
You are very patient Michelle.

Our shed is quite comfortable but still a shed.
We have a slightly better mobile home (when we renovate) with an annexe to finish foremost.
The house will wait.

Farmers Wifey said...

Thanks ladies, fingers crossed it won't be long!

Mimsie said...

Your experience through the past years has been wonderful to follow and no I don't think you are crazy but must have the patience of a saint.
Many years ago in Perth folk were actually allowed to live in large sheds for a year or three while building their homes and I knew several who did just that but without children.
Am so looking forward to that final leap when you move into your dream home. Good luck with the finishing bits and pieces.

All For Love said...

350 holes to be drilled, that just sounds so punishing! Looks like things are coming along nicely, always enjoy a house update. You guys have come so far, what a journey! Look forward to the next instalment xo

Nat - Muddy Farmwife said...

Wow Michelle. Again I think you're a saint! No way I could have lived like that for so long.
Looking forward to how you feel sleeping in your new home.

River said...

There's an old fashioned word for this quality you have .
Stamina, the ability to just keep on going.
I admire this very much, I know absolutely that I couldn't have done waht you've done. Three and a half years in a shed! On my own, maybe, but not with kids in the mix.

Farmers Wifey said...

Your comments have really made me smile, thank you so much..and thank YOU for coming along for this crazy ride xo

Anonymous said...

I am a new reader so thanks for the back track. As a new home owner in the country, it does make me feel better that we don't need to do it all right away. Our house isn't a shed but it's on the tight side for a family of 5. I'll take your positivity and channel it until we get our dream home. Enjoy the move into your ranch x x

TheThingsIdTellYou said...

So close!

Did you know, I've been reading for maybe a year now. I had no idea about the dongas. I often wondered how you managed in the shed. I had pictured it as just one enormous shed.

Christie - Childhood 101 said...

To be counting down in weeks must be so exciting. You are a saint! I could never do what you have done :)

Desire Empire said...

Wow glad you filled in your new readers. Crazy and patient maybe but also very brave.

What fun you will have bringing the interiors to life once you are in
Carolyn

SisterSister said...

You must be so excited...I'm excited and I'm just a follower around here. Living in the sheds for a while gives meaning to the saying "home is where the heart is". love can make anyplace a home :)

congratulations

Unknown said...

I have always wanted a wrap around verandah! I look forward to seeing the "finished" photos. Good luck and well done!! Best wishes Emily {The Country Mumkin}

Louisa Claire said...

So exciting to be so close - I think it's amazing that you have been so patient and so gracious through it all. Bring on the finish line!

Denyse Whelan. said...

Michelle, it is soooo exciting. I am reading as part of the DigParentsBlog Carnival..so hope it's even closer too. Mind you, what is wrong with me....just subscribed by feed burner to your posts. Fancy missing out on more FW!
Love Denyse