Stage 2 Renos - Bring it On

So here they finally are, stage 2 renos!! In only 4 weeks the place was transformed with a new lounge, second bedroom and office.

Suffice to say it was soooo much easier living in a house that had a bathroom, kitchen and bedroom whilst these renovations were going on. No longer was the fridge or stove being moved around like pawns on a chess board.

As you will see from the photos we encountered wildlife living in the ceiling, yes a lovely carpet python, who nearly became part of Megsie's hair style. Thankfully Al was on hand to relocate our border...... I think we now have Charlie the carpet python living upstairs. Well as long as the mouse population stays at a resonable level, who am I to complain. Better than possums.

As I am being somewhat challenged with adding posts to the pictures you'll just have to look at them and guess what happened. But really we stripped back everything to expose the structure and started again. Happily not having to replace many of the beams holding the place up. Of course, as always, Vern and Aaron had a challenging time trying to make the place straight and level. Well done boys for making the front door close. Having said that if you walk from the office to the kitchen stairs you actually have a sense of walking downhill!! Go with that feeling.

Megs and I pitched in a lot more for this one, doing all the bits the guys didn't want to do, as per usual the work lower than an apprentice. And yes indeed the cakes kept coming. By all accounts I believe we cooked well over 50 during both lots of renos, and the local chooks went into overtime supplying the eggs required.

The painting is now finished inside and out, one day I''ll get more photos on the blog to show you this. As Megs was busy in Sydney earning the $$ Russell and I got stuck into making sure that we actually finished, otherwise I'd still be going now. Happy not to pick up another brush for quite sometime to come.

So, thanks for enjoying our laughter and pain as we travelled through the delights of a renovation. Overall we were very lucky with weather and now as I sit writing this blog looking out into the rain (which hasn't stopped for 3 days) we were blessed indeed to have missed the deluge that has occurred this year on the mid north coast. Not complaining just happy.

As we are behind look forward Easter 09 photos and calves, which I am sure by the time I get them up will be a lot older than now.

New Year 08/09 with Friends

New year was a blast. Weather fabbo, gourmet food and wine on tap and loads of activities to keep all busy.

John and Chantal, from the Netherlands were on hand to see how its done. John learning the basics of bbqing and whooping it up on the quad.

Maria, Brian & Mila as always providing entertainment throughout the stay. What you wont see is a surprise visit from Barbara S and her dancers, thank god we spent $$ on a new stereo!!

And a sincere apology to all Chantal and John's relatives back home, who unfortunately for them, had the pleasure of spending some of new year with us via skype. Of course being behind in time they were yet to have new year, you can imagine no doubt.

Otherwise I think the pictures say it all.

And wait theres more

As you can see we had the ladies in for a visit to celebrate, with the obligatory glass of champers. There is also our private ensuire, unless of course you happen to be walking by outside!!

Our bedroom and walk in robe, luxury!! and looking north into the kitchen from our room

Well, its about time

Well it is about time. So I am not going to bore you with verbal so here it is, first stage renovations pretty much completed.

new kitchen/pantry looking south where old kitchen was located

& new kitchen looking north

at last a laundry

More to come.

Holidays Rock!

Today was my last full day of holidays with Megs and Rosi - Mum arrives tomorrow with Tobias and Nanna. While I'm excited the others are coming, I've got to say, I've had an amazing time this last week.

It was really hot again today so we didn't do that much - we watched Al on his digger this morning and then we watched him some more. I had a nap and then had another go on Al's digger which was even more fun than it was yesterday!

We then went to Vern's place to see some Koalas...that's right, real live Koalas.....in trees. We saw four and one was a little baby. I got to ride on Vern's quad bike and it's red like Rosi's.

We came home and I had dinner while Megs, Rosi and Al had a beer and a snack plate. I had a rather early start to the day (5.30) so went off to bed quite happily at 7.30 after chatting with Mum. Oh, I also got to speak with Dad this morning which was great.....I hope he remembers to get me my present from America.

xoxo Hugs

I love diggers!

It finally arrived....the digger! Oh my gawd!!! I WANT ONE! And it has to be pink (which Al the Digger dud is a little disappointed about).

But I'm getting ahead of myself.....we started the day again with our morning ritual (which from the photo below, Rosi isn't too thrilled about.....I think it's the crumbs in the bed). It was raining so we watched BABE for a bit and played with some toys...basically just chilled out.

And then around 11am my life changed for always. Al arrived in his tipper truck with the digger in the back. Al is soooooo cool, he let me have a go straight away and now we'll be mates for ever. Actually, when I get my pink digger I'm going to go into business with Al. We had a cup of tea before we all got in the ute to take a drive around the farm so Al could tell Megs and Rosi where to put the new dams. Then after my afternoon nap, Al let me help him. He was digging up some soil to put in Megs and Rosi's back yard. I don't quite understand why this is happening but it's pretty damn fun to watch.

I finished the day with some more cow action - we had to move them into the area around the creek so Megs and Rosi can plant some more plants there in a few months.

That's all for today - I'm quite tired (or at least I'm pretending to be to keep Megs and Rosi happy).

xoxo Hugs