We braved the freezing weather yesterday so that I could show J the couches I had been looking at for the formal lounge room. They are more expensive than I had originally anticipated to spend, but I figure this room won't be used as much as the family room so they should last us a good 15-20 years!! Here's hoping anyway.
Fortunately J liked them too so we ordered them ... due in 4 weeks. Yay!!
We have also chosen the wooden furniture (coffee table, lamp tables etc) for that room so the only hard thing will be choosing a nice rug to go under the coffee table. I doubt J really cares that much about a rug so I'll enjoy looking around for one.
And for those that know me .... yes, a bit disappointed that the lounge room will be done before the backyard but I have every confidence that the back yard will be done by christmas.
So happiness all round for how the lounge room is going to look.
We also FINALLY bought some new cordless phones. Friends and family are getting sick of ringing the home phone because we only had one handset .. in the bedroom .... and it used to kick in to the answering machine before you could get to the bedroom and answer it. So most of the time we would just let it ring.
Well loved ones, you'll be pleased to know that we now have 3 handsets so too much wine will be the only reason we can't answer the phone!!
We were also very excited to purchase 'Contiuum' .. the final movie of the Stargate saga. Again, for those that know us, you'll know that Stargate is a big hit in our house and we have watched with delight as Jack, Sam, Daniel Jackson (mmm yummy) & Teal'c have fought all kinds of strange & evil creatures.
So you would think the final movie would have been pretty awesome ...............
Wouldn't you???
Well ... I can assure you that it wasn't!
Very disappointing. Shame on you Stargate writers. If this is all you were going to deliver you shouldn't have bothered!!!!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
They're finished!!
Matt has had this week off and been coming down every day to finish off the garden beds.
Slow .. yes but he has done a great job. Matt - you're a legend!!!
Just so you know what you're looking at ..... the 2 garden beds will be rendered (have been looking for a good colour and I may have just found it by stealing Bern & Perry's front render colour!!) ... the pavers are a cream colour, but more 'yellow' cream than 'pink' cream (that makes much more sense when you see the differences) so it's going to be important to get that right.
Anyway ... I'm rambling .. where was I ... oh yes, rendered garden beds which will have a bamboo panel behind each bed. Plants of choice ... yukka heads with some other plants at the bottom (can't remember their name but they are purple and green ... common name is 'moses in a cradle' or something similar).
The gap in between the 2 beds will be a blueboard panel ... again colour is important but I'm thinking green or red .... and that area will be where the BBQ will sit.
All the bit in front (where the rubbish & weeds/grass is) will obviously be paved.
So there you go ... one job done ... 593 to go!! Can't wait to try and render ... should be fun!!
Slow .. yes but he has done a great job. Matt - you're a legend!!!
Just so you know what you're looking at ..... the 2 garden beds will be rendered (have been looking for a good colour and I may have just found it by stealing Bern & Perry's front render colour!!) ... the pavers are a cream colour, but more 'yellow' cream than 'pink' cream (that makes much more sense when you see the differences) so it's going to be important to get that right.
Anyway ... I'm rambling .. where was I ... oh yes, rendered garden beds which will have a bamboo panel behind each bed. Plants of choice ... yukka heads with some other plants at the bottom (can't remember their name but they are purple and green ... common name is 'moses in a cradle' or something similar).
The gap in between the 2 beds will be a blueboard panel ... again colour is important but I'm thinking green or red .... and that area will be where the BBQ will sit.
All the bit in front (where the rubbish & weeds/grass is) will obviously be paved.
So there you go ... one job done ... 593 to go!! Can't wait to try and render ... should be fun!!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Bedroom update & backyard mess
OK .... I have been feeling very guilty about my lack of 'love' for the house blog, and my fellow house bloggers have shamed me into posting something!!!
So a few things have happened around the house.
We ordered the entertainment unit for the bedroom while we were in Brisvegas and it got delivered upon our return. We absolutely love it and it's perfect for the room.... the colour of the wood is almost identical to our bed!!! I say that our bedroom is now complete however J says 'it will be complete when we get the bundy fridge'.
The other very slow changes are to the backyard. As you may recall, we had to build the bricked garden beds (which will be rendered) before we could flatten the area and pave it. Unfortunately 99% of the brickies in Melbourne wouldn't do it because it was such a small job and the one guy we did find, fell off the scaffold the day before he was due to come over and broke his hand so couldn't work for 6 weeks!!
In hind sight ... waiting for him for 6 weeks may have been a better option as they would now be done and the paving would also be done!!!!!
I shouldn't complain though ... one of our great neighbours (man it's good to have tradies in the street) agreed to do the beds for us for a few hundred dollars!! Great, cheap as. He's a lovely guy but slow ... boy, you have no idea.
In all fairness to him however he is not a bricky so I can't expect him to get it done as quickly as a bricky would ... but it doesn't help my desire to get it all done before the big rains come (yes .. I'm sure they will come!!!).
So about 6 weeks into the project and he is ALMOST finished. I noticed last night that he had been down during the day and on one of the beds, he has almost completed the top row ... just needs another couple of rows on the other one.
I took a photo a few weeks ago so you could see the start .... and took a photo last night (not a good pic) to show what has been completed so far.
And now to the bike :-)))
No .. won't bore you with bike stories on this blog but I thought I'd post a pic anyway!!! After all .... you can never have too many pics (isn't that right Perry!!!).
And just for your info ... her name is Scarlett :-)
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Distraction...................
J here,
I dont know if we have any loyal readers left out there but on the off chance we still do I would like to apologise for the lack of blogg action of late.
A, (also known as geek girl) has been somewhat distracted the last few weeks by something shiny........ Her new Motorcycle.
Just in case you folks havent clicked on the new blog page listed to the right of this post. I will attempt to update you.
I have been away quite a bit of late (weve been married about 10 months and 5 of those I have been in Brisvegas and I thought it was time I got the girlie something nice for being so understanding.
A has always wanted to ride a bike and a couple of years ago year 'grumpy santa' got her a voucher for some riding gear that so after a bunch of research on line while I should have been working I Brought her a suzuki GS500F.
We picked up the bike last thursday and I have had it surrounded by razor wire in the Garage until such time as she can ride it. Come to think of it A did have some rather suspicious cuts on her hands the other night and when questioned about them she told me she got them '...... cooking your tea you bastard !!'
So Today A is off with her dad doing her learners course so that we can go for our first ride together on the weekend.
Ok.... On the house front. The new entertainment unit has arrived for the bedroom and the garden beds for the outside bbq area are taking shape.
Hang in there dear reader and Im sure her ladyship will update you all with pictures when she eventually gets her licence.
J
Friday, June 20, 2008
Syonara Brisvegas
Well my 2 weeks stay in Brisbane has finally come to an end! Has been a good 2 weeks but very glad to be getting back home. Husband will be staying for another week however.
Not sure how much rain has been in Melbourne but it will be interesting to see how my garden is looking and how the drain in the back yard is holding up.
Things I'm looking forward to when I get home:
- sleeping in my own bed
- watching our TV (getting a bit sick of watching a 52cm screen)
- seeing the puppies
- cooking in my own kitchen, not the electric hot plates in the apartment!!
Matt from up the road was supposed to build the garden beds out the back while we were gone but I haven't had any reports from Sarah that there has been any movement in the backyard. Oh well ... it's been this long now, what's another few weeks!!
Not sure how much rain has been in Melbourne but it will be interesting to see how my garden is looking and how the drain in the back yard is holding up.
Things I'm looking forward to when I get home:
- sleeping in my own bed
- watching our TV (getting a bit sick of watching a 52cm screen)
- seeing the puppies
- cooking in my own kitchen, not the electric hot plates in the apartment!!
Matt from up the road was supposed to build the garden beds out the back while we were gone but I haven't had any reports from Sarah that there has been any movement in the backyard. Oh well ... it's been this long now, what's another few weeks!!
Things I'll miss in Brisbane:
- not having to wear scarf, hat, gloves and overcoat to brave the outside world
- cheap petrol
- our beautiful niece Grace .. now 9 months old.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Where else but Queensland
Where else do you find muggy weather, frizzy hair and unhelpful people!!!
I think the folk in the hospitality industry have forgotten the meaning of the word 'hospitality'!!
Experiences so far have been:
1. We go to Brisbane Botanical Gardens, have a coffee in the garden restaurant and ask them how to get to Mt Tamborine.
Us: Hi - can you tell us how to get to Mt Tamborine?
Brisbane-ite (insert stereo-typical blonde voice here and tilt head to one side): Noooo ... that's on the Gold Coast
Us: Yes we are aware it's near the Coast however can you tell us how to get there:
Brisbane-ite: Noooo ... we don't go to the Gold Coast
Us: Thanks for your help
2. Had a meeting in Mansfield yesterday (about 14km away from where our office is) so I caught a taxi.
Taxi driver (insert stereo-typical italian taxi driver who wouldn't turn on air conditioner but windows down): Where to
Me: [give him address]
Taxi driver: do you know where that is
Me: No .. but I'm guessing in Mansfield
Taxi driver: Do you know how to get there
Me: No ... that's why I am catching a taxi
Taxi driver: Do you know what the name of the building is
Me : No ... I'm from interstate .. I've never been there before
Taxi driver: [insert heavy sigh and tut-tutting as he has to look up Melways for directions]
3. I get on a bus last night to get back to apartment, but got on wrong bus. Got off at first stop I could and walked to a street I was familiar with. A bus comes along so I ask the driver:
Me: Do you go anywhere near Turbot Street
Bus Driver: I go straight down Adelaide Street
Me: Yes I know you go down Adelaide Street but does it go far enough to be in the vicinity of Turbot Street
Bus Driver: I go straight down Adelaide Street
Me: I am trying to get to the corner of Bowen & Turbot Street .... will this bus take me within a 4 block radius
Bus Driver: I go straight down Adelaide Street
Where else but Queensland indeed!!
I think the folk in the hospitality industry have forgotten the meaning of the word 'hospitality'!!
Experiences so far have been:
1. We go to Brisbane Botanical Gardens, have a coffee in the garden restaurant and ask them how to get to Mt Tamborine.
Us: Hi - can you tell us how to get to Mt Tamborine?
Brisbane-ite (insert stereo-typical blonde voice here and tilt head to one side): Noooo ... that's on the Gold Coast
Us: Yes we are aware it's near the Coast however can you tell us how to get there:
Brisbane-ite: Noooo ... we don't go to the Gold Coast
Us: Thanks for your help
2. Had a meeting in Mansfield yesterday (about 14km away from where our office is) so I caught a taxi.
Taxi driver (insert stereo-typical italian taxi driver who wouldn't turn on air conditioner but windows down): Where to
Me: [give him address]
Taxi driver: do you know where that is
Me: No .. but I'm guessing in Mansfield
Taxi driver: Do you know how to get there
Me: No ... that's why I am catching a taxi
Taxi driver: Do you know what the name of the building is
Me : No ... I'm from interstate .. I've never been there before
Taxi driver: [insert heavy sigh and tut-tutting as he has to look up Melways for directions]
3. I get on a bus last night to get back to apartment, but got on wrong bus. Got off at first stop I could and walked to a street I was familiar with. A bus comes along so I ask the driver:
Me: Do you go anywhere near Turbot Street
Bus Driver: I go straight down Adelaide Street
Me: Yes I know you go down Adelaide Street but does it go far enough to be in the vicinity of Turbot Street
Bus Driver: I go straight down Adelaide Street
Me: I am trying to get to the corner of Bowen & Turbot Street .... will this bus take me within a 4 block radius
Bus Driver: I go straight down Adelaide Street
Where else but Queensland indeed!!
Friday, June 06, 2008
My darling A called me tonight to tell me that tonight might be the last night we were married cause she was gunna run away with some sawn off bloody Canadian who reckons he can sing
Well unlike her I reckon there is something to say......... but Im a firm believer in the addage that a picture is worth a thousand words.................
Im thinking about career in graphic design....................... waddayareckon :)
J
Well unlike her I reckon there is something to say......... but Im a firm believer in the addage that a picture is worth a thousand words.................
Im thinking about career in graphic design....................... waddayareckon :)
J
No title post
This post has no title because there is nothing I could even say to live up to the standard of this man. Off to the concert tonight..... have been looking forward to it for 3 months.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
It's finally here .....
No, not the paving ... not the entertainment unit ... and certainly not the grand piano.
Finally, the long awaited premiere of 'Sex and the City'!!!
We're off for a girls night tonight to see it and then dinner and de-brief after the flick. I'm told to take the tissues because it's a bit of a tear jerker in parts!!!!
I almost got in trouble from the compliance leader in our business when I sent an email offering sex in the city to all the girls in the office :-))
Finally, the long awaited premiere of 'Sex and the City'!!!
We're off for a girls night tonight to see it and then dinner and de-brief after the flick. I'm told to take the tissues because it's a bit of a tear jerker in parts!!!!
I almost got in trouble from the compliance leader in our business when I sent an email offering sex in the city to all the girls in the office :-))
Monday, June 02, 2008
New curtains and a birthday party
Phase 3 of the bedroom makeover has been complete. Curtains .... for those that can't pick what the change has been :-)
Sarah also had her 11th birthday party on Saturday (bowling) with a sleepover on Saturday night. Surprisingly the girls were very responsible and were in bed by 10:30pm!!
Friday, May 30, 2008
Inspection complete .... and new chair arrived
12 month inspection completed. For PD builders, keep in mind that this inspection is for 'structural' items only, so if anything is not right with appliances or other bits and pieces, they won't care about it!!
I only had a few items for them to look at .... the kitchen benchtop, the electrical work in the bathroom and Sarah's room (every now and then zaps and light turns off ... I'm no electrician but I'm tipping this is not good), and the glass on the shower screen. There were a couple of other items but he wasn't interested as they were not considered structural and I should have 'raised the issue' at the 3 month inspection!! Yes, I did have a bit of a go at him about that.
Another issue I was a bit annoyed about was our roof tiles. We've had 2 tradies over the last 6 months go up on the roof and both of them said 'there are a lot of broken tiles'. I raised this with the inspector and all he said was "you should have bought this up at the 3 month inspection" (I clearly forgot to check the roof all those times I went up on to the roof) ... and then the next comment was "how do we know that your tradies didn't break the tiles".
It was an argument I wasn't going to win so I just said "whatever".
I was also a bit annoyed about the issue of the bench top. There is one area that the join in the laminate has become a bit more noticeable than the other joins. There is also a tiny bit of 'bubbling' in the laminate in this area (not sure how to describe it) so I pointed it out to him .. and again his comment was "how do we know you haven't left water on the bench for a long period of time or put something hot on the laminate".
Again ... I wasn't going to win the argument so again just made him write it on the inspection sheet anyway but I'm not putting any bets on that we'll get it looked at.
So that's kind of annoying.
The other annoying thing is that John is back up in Brisbane for a month. Left on Monday morning. The next 2 weeks will be horrible but I'm going up to work in our Brisvegas office for 2 weeks to keep an eye on him!! Looking forward to the warmer weather (but not the rain that is going to make my hair frizzy!!).
The positive this week however has been the arrival of my new chair (we'll call this the 'reading chair').
This is our little retreat area in the bedroom :-))
Only 2 more things needed for the room then we're done ... swags & tails which are coming end of June/early July and still looking for a low line entertainment unit to put the x-box on and put the DVDs etc away.
Did find one the other day but was in the wrong colour!! Isn't it always the way!!!
The X-Box couch is enjoying the rest. John decided to take Need for Speed with him (good one) so there are no good games for me to play. His comment was "you can play Feroza". For anybody that has an X-Box 360 you'll know that it's a pretty lame game!!!
Thanks husband.
I only had a few items for them to look at .... the kitchen benchtop, the electrical work in the bathroom and Sarah's room (every now and then zaps and light turns off ... I'm no electrician but I'm tipping this is not good), and the glass on the shower screen. There were a couple of other items but he wasn't interested as they were not considered structural and I should have 'raised the issue' at the 3 month inspection!! Yes, I did have a bit of a go at him about that.
Another issue I was a bit annoyed about was our roof tiles. We've had 2 tradies over the last 6 months go up on the roof and both of them said 'there are a lot of broken tiles'. I raised this with the inspector and all he said was "you should have bought this up at the 3 month inspection" (I clearly forgot to check the roof all those times I went up on to the roof) ... and then the next comment was "how do we know that your tradies didn't break the tiles".
It was an argument I wasn't going to win so I just said "whatever".
I was also a bit annoyed about the issue of the bench top. There is one area that the join in the laminate has become a bit more noticeable than the other joins. There is also a tiny bit of 'bubbling' in the laminate in this area (not sure how to describe it) so I pointed it out to him .. and again his comment was "how do we know you haven't left water on the bench for a long period of time or put something hot on the laminate".
Again ... I wasn't going to win the argument so again just made him write it on the inspection sheet anyway but I'm not putting any bets on that we'll get it looked at.
So that's kind of annoying.
The other annoying thing is that John is back up in Brisbane for a month. Left on Monday morning. The next 2 weeks will be horrible but I'm going up to work in our Brisvegas office for 2 weeks to keep an eye on him!! Looking forward to the warmer weather (but not the rain that is going to make my hair frizzy!!).
The positive this week however has been the arrival of my new chair (we'll call this the 'reading chair').
This is our little retreat area in the bedroom :-))
Only 2 more things needed for the room then we're done ... swags & tails which are coming end of June/early July and still looking for a low line entertainment unit to put the x-box on and put the DVDs etc away.
Did find one the other day but was in the wrong colour!! Isn't it always the way!!!
The X-Box couch is enjoying the rest. John decided to take Need for Speed with him (good one) so there are no good games for me to play. His comment was "you can play Feroza". For anybody that has an X-Box 360 you'll know that it's a pretty lame game!!!
Thanks husband.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Is that 12 months already???
Can you believe that it is almost 12 months since we moved into the house??? I certainly can't. Well probably because it's only been 11 months and 2 weeks but let's not dwell on the detail.
What an unbelievable 12 months it has been. New house, married and new jobs for both of us.
I asked J to phone PD the other day to try and get a date for the 12 month inspection (those that have built with PD know that you have to request this inspection, they won't automatically book one in for you). I figured that they would mess around with dates and it would take a long time so I wasn't expecting any sort of response. Within a couple of hours of my request to aforementioned husband, he had emailed me telling me to work from home next Friday (16 May) and somebody would be out to do the inspection.
Wow! Now just have to put a list together .. mind you, it's not a long list but fairly important things (ie. electricals are a bit dodgy and one of the joins in the kitchen bench looks like it won't last much more than a couple of years). Other than that, we'll see if they pick up anything we haven't noticed.
The X-Box couch had a very good run over the weekend with lots of Need for Speed & Gears of War playing. J thinks the 'couch shit' and the 'bed shit' are a bit much for him to deal with but he'll get over it I'm sure :-))
We had some quotes done on Saturday as well for some blinds and stuff ..... swags/tails for the master bedroom and a holland blind (I think that was it) for the sliding door out onto the patio.
The only downer of the weekend was on Saturday when the bricky didn't show up to build the garden beds. I was REALLY annoyed as I was looking forward to seeing some more work done out the back, and we had lost his number so couldn't even ring to see what was going on.
Anyway ... get a call from him on Sunday apologising for not having phoned however he was in hospital after a fall from some scaffolding on Friday where he broke two fingers in his hand and also broke his phone, therefore couldn't get ring when he wanted to. He is now out of action for 6 weeks.
We felt pretty bad for cursing him after hearing that!
What an unbelievable 12 months it has been. New house, married and new jobs for both of us.
I asked J to phone PD the other day to try and get a date for the 12 month inspection (those that have built with PD know that you have to request this inspection, they won't automatically book one in for you). I figured that they would mess around with dates and it would take a long time so I wasn't expecting any sort of response. Within a couple of hours of my request to aforementioned husband, he had emailed me telling me to work from home next Friday (16 May) and somebody would be out to do the inspection.
Wow! Now just have to put a list together .. mind you, it's not a long list but fairly important things (ie. electricals are a bit dodgy and one of the joins in the kitchen bench looks like it won't last much more than a couple of years). Other than that, we'll see if they pick up anything we haven't noticed.
The X-Box couch had a very good run over the weekend with lots of Need for Speed & Gears of War playing. J thinks the 'couch shit' and the 'bed shit' are a bit much for him to deal with but he'll get over it I'm sure :-))
We had some quotes done on Saturday as well for some blinds and stuff ..... swags/tails for the master bedroom and a holland blind (I think that was it) for the sliding door out onto the patio.
The only downer of the weekend was on Saturday when the bricky didn't show up to build the garden beds. I was REALLY annoyed as I was looking forward to seeing some more work done out the back, and we had lost his number so couldn't even ring to see what was going on.
Anyway ... get a call from him on Sunday apologising for not having phoned however he was in hospital after a fall from some scaffolding on Friday where he broke two fingers in his hand and also broke his phone, therefore couldn't get ring when he wanted to. He is now out of action for 6 weeks.
We felt pretty bad for cursing him after hearing that!
Thursday, May 08, 2008
The cost of happiness
One cheap, unremarkable looking couch: $500
Cushions to try and brighten it up: $100
A husband's happiness because he has his own place to sit and play computer games: Priceless
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Gorgeous trees
On Sunday I dragged Sarah to the Cranbourne Botanic Gardens. Not sure how Royal they are but that word is thrown in there as well. As a typical 10 year old this was a very lame thing for her mother to make her do and of course I heard all about it for a while ... until she got there and she had a great time!!!
Anyway .. I digress ..... if you are a fan of Aussie natives, then this is the place for you. It's a lovely way to spend an hour or two of your day just walking around the gardens. I came across a few plants that I would like to put in my garden .... this silver plant one of them. The photo actually doesn't do it justice and planted on mass, it looks simply stunning.
The other highlight in the garden are the grass trees. These are just awesome looking trees and I wish we had a place for one!! Some of them are 400 years old. Amazing.
Monday, May 05, 2008
It's coming
X-Box couch has been made and due to arrive at the store on Wednesday.
Of course my chair isn't coming at the same time (why would it) because the material was not in stock. Sigh.
But as long as the big boy is happy ... apparently that's all that matters. I'm sure that trials will begin on Sunday to test it out.
Dave made a very apt comment .... if he gets an ass groove in the chair too quickly, he's sitting on it far too often.
Of course my chair isn't coming at the same time (why would it) because the material was not in stock. Sigh.
But as long as the big boy is happy ... apparently that's all that matters. I'm sure that trials will begin on Sunday to test it out.
Dave made a very apt comment .... if he gets an ass groove in the chair too quickly, he's sitting on it far too often.
Monday, April 28, 2008
1 job finished ... turns into 3 still to do
Why is it that when one thing gets done, it starts a chain of follow up jobs that need to be completed to make it all look the way you want!!
We were able to get the second step to the front done over the weekend. Our friendly neighbour, Dave the deck builder, took time out of his busy schedule to get it done for us.
We left the original deck too long before we oiled it so now we are going to have to wait a few months for the new wood to age and then we will oil it so it looks the same (that's the plan anyway).
Now that this has been finished I can also pull up the original paving and get it done properly. I'm going to put large format pavers (same as the ones out the back) and get rid of the pebbles. It annoys me to have the bark fall into the pebbles all the time and it never looks neat.
Also need to re-plant the cordyline in the black pot.
Once this is all done ... the path to the front door will be done.
Just in time for our 12 month inspection!!
Boy this stuff takes a long time.
More exciting however ... should only be 10 days or so away before the X-Box couch arrives. You know who is never going to move out of the bedroom every Sunday don't you!!!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
A weekend of activity
While I'm a big fan of the lazy weekend, I'm also becoming a huge fan of weekends that are full of activity and productivity. The last 2 days can be counted in the latter category.
Bright and early Saturday morning, Dad and Damian showed up to box up the second garden bed ready for the concrete to be delivered at 10:30am. I love watching builders work. It's amazing what they achieve and it's confirmed that my dad is an absolute superstar. Bear in mind that the boxing up will be removed next week, some of the things dad did to make sure it was all perfect was amazing. His eye for detail is second to none and for an old fella, I reckon he still puts the young guys to shame.
Sunday we got up early again and oiled the deck (finally). It came up really lovely and I will do the second coat this afternoon. We also had a friend come down and pull through the cabling for the security system and he will finish that off on Thursday. So little things around the place are starting to get done which is great.
So all in all ... a very productive weekend. The backyard especially is starting to take shape. Although from the photos it still looks like a war zone, I think that is a very faint light I can see in the distance.
By the way ... the countdown is on for the x-box couch. Apparently about 35 days to go.
Bright and early Saturday morning, Dad and Damian showed up to box up the second garden bed ready for the concrete to be delivered at 10:30am. I love watching builders work. It's amazing what they achieve and it's confirmed that my dad is an absolute superstar. Bear in mind that the boxing up will be removed next week, some of the things dad did to make sure it was all perfect was amazing. His eye for detail is second to none and for an old fella, I reckon he still puts the young guys to shame.
Sunday we got up early again and oiled the deck (finally). It came up really lovely and I will do the second coat this afternoon. We also had a friend come down and pull through the cabling for the security system and he will finish that off on Thursday. So little things around the place are starting to get done which is great.
So all in all ... a very productive weekend. The backyard especially is starting to take shape. Although from the photos it still looks like a war zone, I think that is a very faint light I can see in the distance.
By the way ... the countdown is on for the x-box couch. Apparently about 35 days to go.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Successful shopping weekend
As you may have read from J's post on Friday, on the weekend we ventured out to look at a couch for the bedroom.
Of course, while the mission was a complete success, it was not without drama.
Let me firstly, re-cap on what the big man wrote last week:
"While I am after the pure functionality of a couch, A will be coming along with me to ensure that I dont buy anything that is too big, too small, too high backed, the wrong colour, wrong style, or worst of all, something that buggers up the feung shui of the room."
We were waiting for a friend to arrive for breakfast on Saturday morning and thought we would look at a couple of furniture places to see if anything captured our eye. The brief was as follows:
- something simple
- no wider than bed or higher than foot of bed
- no bulky furniture
- must be dark blue (due to our feature wall)
It was pretty easy to rule out most of the 2 seaters and we both laid eyes on a very slimline, square looking 2 seater couch ..... perfect. We both sat ... agreed that it was comfortable enough for a few hours sitting at a time and we both practised the 'X-Box controller' position to ensure that we would have enough room for both of us to sit. 3 prices ... 3 fabric choices. No problems. Off we go to the fabric section.
At this point, John lost complete interest and wandered off to look at other furniture in the store.
A very helpful sales assistant found me and after explaining what couch we chose and the colours of the bedroom I found a fabric and colour I was happy with. It's pretty hard choosing a colour to match our dark blue wall but I think it will be OK. With some pretty cushions and maybe a throw rug it should all blend in nicely.
Next I found my chair (single chair for the corner of the bedroom) and I wanted this to be in complete contrast to the couch so I chose a bit of a way out, dotty material. J wasn't too thrilled with it I don't think but as he said 'as long as he has his x-box couch, he doesn't care'.
Sounds great doesn't it .... fairly seamless process, no arguing, agreement virtually straight away .... life is good.
Cue the sound of man finding the perfect lazy man's couch.
A tap on my shoulder and a pointed finger at the couch that J has now decided is THE perfect couch for the bedroom.
A 2 seater theatre couch no less!!! Big fat chunky arms, recliner on both chairs, 2 drink holders and another section to hold food and whatever else you want to hide in there.
A quick re-cap on the conversation:
A: No
J: But look at it, it's perfect
A: No
J: But it can hold my Bundy
A: No
J: Look how comfortable it is
A: No
J: You're a biatch
I love being married :-))
Anyway ... while breakfast was lovely with only a few complaints about not being allowed to have the couch he wanted, J then headed off to a day of sailing while I did some more shopping around (just to make sure there wasn't anything else around at a better price). After looking at a few stores, went back and put a deposit on the chair and couch ... delivery in 4-6 weeks.
So all in all, it was a reasonably successful shopping trip.
So while we're on a positive note .. I won't even give you the run down of Sunday's landscaping day. For those that have read our blog from the start you will know that when J&A work together in the back yard ...... sparks fly!!!!
I love being married :-))))))
Of course, while the mission was a complete success, it was not without drama.
Let me firstly, re-cap on what the big man wrote last week:
"While I am after the pure functionality of a couch, A will be coming along with me to ensure that I dont buy anything that is too big, too small, too high backed, the wrong colour, wrong style, or worst of all, something that buggers up the feung shui of the room."
We were waiting for a friend to arrive for breakfast on Saturday morning and thought we would look at a couple of furniture places to see if anything captured our eye. The brief was as follows:
- something simple
- no wider than bed or higher than foot of bed
- no bulky furniture
- must be dark blue (due to our feature wall)
It was pretty easy to rule out most of the 2 seaters and we both laid eyes on a very slimline, square looking 2 seater couch ..... perfect. We both sat ... agreed that it was comfortable enough for a few hours sitting at a time and we both practised the 'X-Box controller' position to ensure that we would have enough room for both of us to sit. 3 prices ... 3 fabric choices. No problems. Off we go to the fabric section.
At this point, John lost complete interest and wandered off to look at other furniture in the store.
A very helpful sales assistant found me and after explaining what couch we chose and the colours of the bedroom I found a fabric and colour I was happy with. It's pretty hard choosing a colour to match our dark blue wall but I think it will be OK. With some pretty cushions and maybe a throw rug it should all blend in nicely.
Next I found my chair (single chair for the corner of the bedroom) and I wanted this to be in complete contrast to the couch so I chose a bit of a way out, dotty material. J wasn't too thrilled with it I don't think but as he said 'as long as he has his x-box couch, he doesn't care'.
Sounds great doesn't it .... fairly seamless process, no arguing, agreement virtually straight away .... life is good.
Cue the sound of man finding the perfect lazy man's couch.
A tap on my shoulder and a pointed finger at the couch that J has now decided is THE perfect couch for the bedroom.
A 2 seater theatre couch no less!!! Big fat chunky arms, recliner on both chairs, 2 drink holders and another section to hold food and whatever else you want to hide in there.
A quick re-cap on the conversation:
A: No
J: But look at it, it's perfect
A: No
J: But it can hold my Bundy
A: No
J: Look how comfortable it is
A: No
J: You're a biatch
I love being married :-))
Anyway ... while breakfast was lovely with only a few complaints about not being allowed to have the couch he wanted, J then headed off to a day of sailing while I did some more shopping around (just to make sure there wasn't anything else around at a better price). After looking at a few stores, went back and put a deposit on the chair and couch ... delivery in 4-6 weeks.
So all in all, it was a reasonably successful shopping trip.
So while we're on a positive note .. I won't even give you the run down of Sunday's landscaping day. For those that have read our blog from the start you will know that when J&A work together in the back yard ...... sparks fly!!!!
I love being married :-))))))
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