Windows and Doors

It is another wet day here in sunny Queensland but the work continues! As I sit here typing this post the windows and doors are being unloaded. I am scared to get up and take a good look at them but everyone else seems to really like them. I'm sure I will too its just I had some major disagreements with the window man for he and I have different taste!

Now I must make a decision on window and door hardware. Do I choose chrome or the antique copper ones? If I go dark hardware then I have to have the hinges on the doors changed. I'm just grateful I have a meeting with Hayley from Porchlight Interiors this morning. I would be lost without her and her sister, Tracy.

I hear my name being called so I must go for now. Pictures will be posted later.

God bless
Allie

Pictures from our First Dinner Party

For those of you who know us will not be surprised to see that we have already had our first dinner party.  Our thought was - WHY WAIT!

Kate, Molly and Kelsey

Bob, Brett, Rob

THE MAN

Kate doing the Limbo

Look at Molly go

Watch out Molly, Will seems to think it is his turn!

Wrong way Will!

Gran is probably wondering if she will ever get a ride home!

The Guest refuse to leave

  This picture was taken from our car as we left our house!

The Wait Is Over!

It has been a long time coming but we are finally underway with the building of our house.  Several weeks ago the concrete was poured on the bottom level (Jake’s Domain) and the main level of the house.  The frames for both levels are up and the floor for this level is going down.  The frames for this level will be arriving this afternoon.

I have just come back from a meeting with Hayley and Tracy from Porchlight Interiors and I can honestly say that I could not achieve my goals if it were not for them.  The windows and doors can be ordered and a final decision has been made in regards to the layout of windows and doors on the top-level deck.  Now I just need to finalize the roof tile, the siding/cladding, the tapware, plumbing, and then maybe I can stop and take a breath or dance some Nia.

I guess I should mention the frames are from Steel Framing Systems www.steelframingsystems.com.au and the man in charge of the site is Rob Watkins from Rob Watkins Builders.

Now I am going to post some pictures!

Still Unpacking

Many thanks go out to Murphy Kaire for moving us from our old rental and into our new one.  Now that he has moved us into our new rental, he can look forward to building our house on the water and then help us with our FINAL move!  Thanks Murphy you are the greatest.

There is a still lot of unpacking to do and I guess I need a raining day so the ever so gorgeous swimming pool does not tempt me to go for a swim.  I have never been known for my organizational skills and I love to procrastinate so who knows when it will be done!  Oh well, as the one and only Scarlett O’Hara would say, “After all ... tomorrow is another day.” Therefore, I will wait and see what tomorrow brings.

Our Outdoor Christmas Tree

A Slice of Heaven

Moving, Moving, Moving

Oh yes, we are on the move again.  This Friday, November 4^th, we will be moving to a larger rental that has air conditioning, a pool and room for visitors.  My sister, Haven, will be visiting from mid-December to mid-January then Gran arrives for yearly visit sometime early February in time for her darling granddaughter’s birthday!

This move is the work of the Lord, so for those out there that think He cannot find the right house for you well you are soooo wrong!  One Friday at school, one of the Intervention Teachers walked up to me and we started talking.  She mentioned that she has been slowly moving out of one house and into another one.  I told her that I felt for her and how I was not looking forward to moving again and how we needed to find a place to move into before the summer sets upon us.  She smiled and said her house that she just moved out of was for rent.  I stated I need a house with air conditioning, pool and space and she smiled and stated her house did.  She then proceeds to tell me the house is in the same area.  We both looked at each other and I reached over to her and stated how the good Lord works in mysterious ways.  She then tells me that she knows that and that she was not even supposed to be at school that day!  We both had major goose bumps and tingling heads. 

Praise the Lord.

Redesigning

As you can see I have been busy trying to redesign my Blog and I am having trouble trying to get some things aligned the way I want them.  Therefore, I think I am going to have to get a web designer to help me!

Since our house is at a standstill, I have decided to branch out and just start blogging about whatever comes to mind, so stay tuned!

Guess What? We are still waiting!

We are at the point now where we are going to have to move to another house while we build.  We need more space, a pool, and air conditioning.  Cannot go a summer without those thing, plus I am ready for my mother to come over for her 3 to 6 month stay.  In addition, my sister, Haven, is coming over for Christmas; well I hope she is coming.

This wonderful little house we call the “Tree house” has served its purpose but Kate needs a place where she can play with her toys, I need air-conditioning and Jake’s needs a place he can hide from us!  However, most of all we want to get off this extremely busy road.  The noise from the cars hooning up and down the street is preventing us from having a good night sleep.  

Thanks to the good Lord, I am hoping to secure a rental house by next week.  If so, I will share with you a story on how He works in the most mysterious way!

Word on the Street!

Believe it or not, we may finally get approval next week. Best I get myself organized and make a decision on windows.  Think I may need to schedule an appointment with Hayley and Tracee from Porchlight Interiors, www.porchlightinteriors.com.au.

A Wonderful Week Away

We have just returned home from a wonderful week in New Zealand celebrating Jake's Uncle Simon's birthday!  We were staying in the ever so gorgeous town of Devonport where there just happens to be a few fabulous clothes and shoe shops! 

Kate had the most amazing time playing with her cousins.  So much so, we extend our stay for an extra three nights.   Which meant we were able to attend a Rugby World Cup Game, Jake got another flight with Dom and we got to see Bassie, who flew in just hours before we headed to the airport.

This week we will be enjoying our last week of school holidays before Term 4 starts.  We are hoping to go roller-skating today and maybe the movies later in the week.  This will all depend on whether Kate has the chickenpox or just a multitude of bug bites!  Therefore, need I say we will start our week off at the doctor’s office this morning and then off to spend the day with the ever so delightful Wigan Family! 

Still Waiting

Nothing to report on the actual site but the down time has allowed me the opportunity to sit back and contemplate some things that I have been putting off.  I needed to decide whether to have windows in the kitchen on the Eastern side of the house.  Well, thanks to Aunty Disy and Jan Randall there will be windows in the kitchen on the Eastern side!  Now, I just need to decide whether to go all wood or wood interior and aluminium exterior.  If I go the combination, I will have to order them from a company in NSW who is the international supplier for Marvin Windows and Doors in the States.  The problem here is the time in which it would take to get the windows, and I am still waiting on a quote.


I have made Jake a very happy man by agreeing to be practical and use James Hardie Linear fiber cement siding and a tin roof.  I came to this decision after reading several articles in Coastal Living regarding how to storm proof your house and this was around the time Irene was barrelling towards the States!  In addition, while admiring the pictures of the houses in East Beach, Norfolk, Virginia, I noticed that many of the houses have tin roofs!  Therefore, I emailed Jake a photo of the roof and he was able to locate the same roof here in Australia. 


That is all I have to report for now.  I will try and post the house plans later this week.

Irene turns, aims fury toward N.C. - Home Page - NewsObserver.com

Irene turns, aims fury toward N.C. - Home Page - NewsObserver.com

Sending prayers to all my family and friends on the East Coast.

Shake, Rattle and Hold On East Coast of United States

I am sending prayers to my family and friends in the States, especially, those on the East Coast who felt the 5.8 magnitude earthquake today and are preparing themselves for Hurricane Irene, which could possibly hit land this weekend.

The Waiting Game

We have come to a stand still until we get plumbing approval from Council! Therefore, the only activity today was Jake's meeting with John Dillon from Unique Landscaping http://www.ulc.net.au/.

Brisbane Show Day- 17 August 2011

On Monday, Graham and Jake dug the footings for the porch. Yesterday the guys poured the concrete for the porch and remaining footings. Today they are doing the prep work for the suspended concrete floor.

I'm waiting for a quote for doors and windows from Woodworkers and trying to decide on a color for the exterior. I'm thinking a light grey or blue. Anybody out there have and suggestions? I also need to start thinking about tiles for bathrooms and laundry!

The following pictures were taken around 11:00am.

View from Lounge

View from Kitchen

Footing for the Porch

View from Ground Level

Friday's Adventure

The day was spent digging out the driveway and that afternoon Jake had help from his favourite worker!  Can't wait to see how much that will cost him!

Porchlight Interiors

The wonderful Hayley and Tracee from Porchlight Interiors are mentioned in the latest issue on Ivy & Piper (page 108), which is an online home fashion magazine www.ivyandpiper.com.au.

Thursday Morning

Early Thursday morning photos!

The left side is the kitchen area and the right is the loung.

Long Day

I do believe two young men left the property extremely tired! These two spent the entire day shovelling rocks into the drainage behind the retaining wall.  When I stopped by to take photos they did not appear to be happy chappies!

The Drop!

Rob from Rob Watkins Builders is working on the structural steel and floor structure for the suspended concrete slab to the kitchen, lounge and dinning area.

Week Four

We are heading into week four and I have no idea what is being done today!  On Friday concrete was poured into the retaining walls and Jake set sail on MONDO for the 5th Annual Brisbane to Keppel Yacht Race. 

I spent the morning with Hayley and Tracee from Porchlight Interiors (www.porchlightinteriors.com.au). I look forward to going over everything with Jake when he returns today.

Have a great day and may the Lord keep you safe!

TGIF

The retaining walls are up and concrete will be poured into them today.  Pictures to come.

I'm off to meet Hayley and Tracee from Porchlight Interiors www.porchlightinteriors.com.au/.  Lots of questions on my agenda and most of the questions are from Jake, who at first was hesitant about hiring Interior Decorators!  I think he might just realize that I was right on this one!

The annual Brisbane to Keppel Yacht starts today. This is its 5th year and we are praying MONDO will win! Be safe boys and have lots of fun.