Last week a good friend of ours gave us a quote to fit all the windows in our house with Holland blinds. We currently have a mix of old bed sheets, hand-me-down curtains, and nothing covering our windows. The price was very good and we will be booking them in this week.
I should mention that the good friend actually works for a blind company and is able to supply the product, rather than just guessing a price and leaving it at that.
I think we had better put off building the deck we have been wanting for at least a few more months.
I would like you to meet the newest memeber of the household, Coco the chocolate Labrador. We got her yesterday and she’s just gorgeous. She’s 10 weeks old today and loves peeing on the floor.
We had a trio of feathered friends visit us in our garden yesterday morning. Jane was shitting herself, I thought it was cool.
It’s quite obvious that I’ve had a busy few weeks and have neglected my posting responsibilities. Here is a speedy update for those of you who are suffering any withdrawal symptoms – cold sweats, shakes, hallucinations etc.
New job
Going really well. I’ve been there 3 weeks now and have made some good progress on a few major projects.
House
I’ve evolved into a bunnings-addicted handyman, going there every weekend since we moved in. I’ve learnt about plumbing (for the dishwasher), the correct screws for plaster-board (to hang towel rails and pictures), how to install a dealock and that you can buy a ladder for only $36.
The only negative about the house is the ‘fly problem’. There are flies getting in the house from somewhere, and we can’t find where, therefore we can’t stop them. Hopfully, with some through detective work, we will get to the bottom of the problem on the weekend.
Mountian bike
Haven’t been riding for weeks, probably a direct result of the Bunnings addiction mentioned above.
Miscellaneous ovservation
Jane and I were driving home from work today and we stopped at one of the 400 sets of red lights we caught. We were stopped in front of one of those huge Mitsubishi Pajero 4WD beasts. In a fairly sterotypical comment I’m going to say that the driver was predictably a middle-aged women who would have been no taller than 5’5″ and was only just able to see over the steering wheel. It seems that the short genes were passed down from her mother who, I assume, was sitting in the front passenger seat. I must say though, I could only just see grandma in the front seat, with just her forhead and eyebrows poking up over the dashboard. I had three thoughts about this situation: 1. Why is a very short adult allowed in the front seat while a young child who may be taller, not allowed?; 2. the car trip must have been very boring for grandma, not being able to see the outside world; and 3. It was a hilarious sight.
That’s all for now.
According to Google Maps, our house doesn’t exist! Does that mean we don’t have to pay rates?
I’m one of those people who thinks having web access at home is essential and having not had it since moving in a few weeks ago, it’s amazing how much you miss it. Not miss it in the way an addict misses their particular vise, but more so in a way that makes you realise how much it’s actually a part of our lives these days. I felt quite old fashioned last week when I was filling in the Census form and had to say we didn’t have internet access at home.
So on Tuesday I signed up for a new ADSL2+ plan from TPG. Today I read in the paper that Google is about to start providing their entire town with free Wi-Fi internet access. Why doesn’t somebody do that for us poor Aussies? I draw your attention to two of my earlier posts: Telstra ditches broadband plans and Google is taking over the world.
Since moving into the new house and setting up the nice, new, low-line entertainment unit recently purchased from Dare Gallery, Jane and I have decided that the 51cm CRT TV isn’t quite big enough to take centre stage amongst the surround speakers – which, after purchasing them 4 years ago, I’m finally going to be able to set up properly, without having to worry about parents and landlord objections about ceiling mounts or too much noise when watching The Matrix.
So, with no money in the bank and lots of wild ideas bouncning around my head, I have started doing some reading on the pros and cons of flat panel display units. What’s the difference between LCD and Plasma? Which is better? Which will last longer? Which gives the best picture? How much to spend? How big to go? The mind boggles.
In my research I came accross a company that is selling fully waterproof LCD TVs for use in wet environments including “spas, poolside, or even the shower”. This begs the question: Is anyone really surprised that we aren’t going to be allowed to wash our cars this summer because too many people are watching Mel and Kochie on Sunrise while in the shower, instead of washing under their armpits?
It’s been a long time since my last post, but there has been lots happening so I don’t feel too bad about it.
First, the house is complete! “No, it can’t be true”, I hear you say. Well my friends, you better believe it. Settlement is happening tomorrow and we will be picking up the keys probably about 3pm. I should clarify something though. When I say “complete” I mean everything is done but the garage door, which will be installed on Tuesday next week.
Needless to say, Jane and I are very excited that we have finally made it. After originally planning to settle on 26 May, being 10 weeks late has been a bit of a pain in the bum. But we won’t dwell on that aspect, instead we will rejoyce in the knowledge that we are about to enter the world of mortgages and of being at the mercy of the Reserve Bank. Speaking of which, there have been two interest rate rises between when our loan was originally approved and now, before we have even borrowed a cent. Bummer!
Anyone who is willing to lend a hand moving on the weekend is welcome to drop me a line.
The second big thing that’s happened in the last week is I got a new job. I’m soon to become the Media and Communications person at a place in the city. I’m looking forward to it. I will be managing a large CMS website, as well as producing publications and flyers and ay other graphic design things they need. I already know a few people who work there (that’s how I found out about the opening) so that should make the transition nice and easy.
For now, that’s enough from me.
It’s been a while since I updated everyone on the progress of the house, so I will do so now.
After several weeks of being “right to settle next week”, the final compliance certificates were issued by council yesterday. That means, according to them, all the works have been completed satisfactorily and in accordance with the plans. I can’t comment on that because the last time we were inside to have a look was 2 weeks ago, and there were still a few things left to do then.
As far as I’m aware the carpet still hasn’t been laid, but that should only take half a day at the most. We need to have the floorboards polished this week, but that’s up to us, not the vendor.
Speaking of the vendor, he wants to meet us at the house this week to go over everything and make sure we are happy, so settlement should be sorted by this Friday or early the following week. It’s within sight now and we are very happy!
I’ll report any developments as they come to hand.
Just in case you were wondering, no we haven’t moved into the new house yet. It’s still not finished and they still can’t give us a settlement date. They have told us everything will be ready “by the end of the month”, but that sounds a lot like builder’s speak for “dunno? it’ll be ready when we feel like finishing it”.
Frustrating isn’t a strong enough word to use anymore.
