Someone's In!

Today we watched as the first of our neighbours moved into their brand new home. Every weekend that we've been out working at the block they have also been working there. That work has paid off for them and today they were lucky enough to move in. It's exciting seeing someone finally living in there but is a little sad knowing that it's not us. Never mind, everything happens for a reason, and we are sure that we'll be in soon enough. It just makes us more determined to get as much of the rubbish work done as we can before we move in.

More Photos Of What We've Been Doing

Milly's "BLOCK TOILET"


Our first barbecue at the block - we'll refine it as time goes by I'm sure.


Burning pile


Our actual pool


Today I worked out how to get photos from my phone onto the IMAC. Now, believe me, I'm sure there's an easier way to do this but I went with what I could work out and managed to upload all of the photos that I've been taking of the block over the last few months. Above are just a few of them.

It's Burning Time!

Today we packed up the cars (Matt left earlier than Milly and I) and headed off to the block for a family working bee. It's been a few weeks since we've been out there and since things will start happening there soon(ish) we decided to go out and get some work done. Before we left to go on holidays we started dragging sticks and branches out of the bushes and piling them up ready to burn once we got back. Today we finished clearing the fence line along the side that borders Michael and Anita's place and started to burn our piles.

We've learnt (from our ever prepared friends) that it's best to be over prepared when it comes to amusing Milly for a day of what could possibly be a very boring time. I took her big red car, keyboard, children's laptop, soccer ball and whiteboard with pens, as well as food and a picnic blanket with chairs. She was well set up! Thankfully she played happily by herself and also with a new pal she'd made. Our neighbour's dog visited us on and off all day. We think his name is Curtis (it's what is written on his collar) - so that's what we're calling him.

At around lunch time, Anita, Conor and Charlotte came out to clear up a bit of the rubbish on their block and have a bit of a chat and play. The kids had a great time running up and down the pile of mulch/dirt that has been pushed to the back of our block. By the sounds of it, Anita and Michael's place will start around the same time as ours (maybe a little earlier) and has about the same build time. We should both be moving in around the same time I'd imagine.

We're going back to the block tomorrow to do more clearing on the other fence line. If we keep going at this pace we'll have the whole place sorted before we move in. We can only hope!

All Is Done Before We Go Away!

The great news for us before we go away on our holiday is that everything is finalised now! We got a letter in the mail yesterday to let us know that the plans have gone to the private certifier and they expect them to take between six to eight weeks to be approved. There were a few things that we have to check off our list before they will start building but nothing that needs to be dealt with until we get back. Which means we can have a lovely relaxing holiday and worry about those things when we return.

Right now I am busily washing and ironing so that we can pack this afternoon. I also have to clean the house before Toni gets her sometime tomorrow. She will be staying here for the (roughly) two weeks while we are away. We think we have everything sorted to go away ... just a little shopping this afternoon to get some supplies for the road so that our trip can be as uninterrupted as possible.

Will blog again on our return.

Covenant Approval

Yesterday we got an email from Philip to say that our house has received approval from the covenant committee. Yay! This means that the plans will now go to council. We just have one more hurdle to get over with council (we've asked for a relaxation of the building envelope boundaries) and then we'll be set.

Glad to know it's all getting sorted before we go away!

Things Went Well With The Bank

We had our appointment with the bank this afternoon and all went well. We took all of the quotes that we had for everything we wanted and they had no problem with putting them all through. At this stage the loan is approved subject to a final valuation. If the house values up better than what they've put in (which is the minimum at the moment) then we'll pay less mortgage lenders insurance....which is a very scary amount so we're hoping it values up nicely.

Milly and I also had a visit to the mechanic today to have the car serviced. Note to the girls at our service department. If you say two hours .... mean it. Don't mean three. Milly was very well behaved but it really set her off for the rest of the day!

End of rant.

Colour Selection finalised

Well, that's it! All of the big decisions have now been made for our new house. We just have to sit back and wait for the bills to roll in. LOL. We have made a few changes along the way, just basically upgrading a few more things, so we will now be charged extra for those items. Today we upgraded to Wash and Wear paint which we think is an investment considering the fact that the paint in Powells Rd was Wash Off not Wash and Wear. Every time you had to wipe it you'd take a small layer of paint with you.

Anyway, the selections are done and all we have to do now is wait. The plans are still with the covenant committee which is a bit of a pain but hopefully they'll be back soon and can go to council. Fingers crossed by the time we're back from our holiday they'll have been in for a couple of weeks.