5th February 2009
And so the move day finally arrived. It felt like this day had been awaited from the very day we first put our foot on Australian soil. Our own home again – bliss! We were all nervous and so very tired from all the cleaning but thankfully all was moving along nicely without any hiccups. The hire truck was collected, packed and we waited for the call from the agents to say we could go ahead.
The weather played along extra nicely and we had sunshine all the way. 34˚ in fact so you can just imagine how we sweated.
Now you might remember me saying that this property was a registered dog breeder property. Because of this, we understood that there would be flea’s around. I thought the pest control man would be a good idea and that he could spray around the house for spiders and any bugs which may be lurking. I had no idea what I would find when I arrived. The dogs had obviously gone but the flea’s were left behind and going crazy without them. The previous owners had washed the dogs the night before (St Bernard’s mind due) in the bath tub in the house and the dogs scuffle mud marks were still all over the floor. I couldn’t believe that somebody could do this! There was a horrendous smell of dog throughout the house aswell which was overwhelming to say the least. At this point we had only been on the farm about 20 minutes and I was already ready to put it back on the market. I felt we had made a huge mistake. I just cried and cried and cried. It was terrible! Talk about crisis management! Looking back now I can smile and have a sense of humor about it but back then, I wanted to jump on the next bus and never come back. We decided that due to the state of the house and all the cleaning needing to be done, the best thing to do would be to put all our furniture in the two back bedrooms until I could disinfect and renovate each room. The questions in my mind – where would we live while this took place????? How would we eat, how could I survive this mess!!! We must be crazy. I think most people thought we had bitten off a bit more than we could chew, in fact I suddenly thought this too. I had major regrets flooding my brain and wanted to toss in the towel before we even started. I was scared rotten to say the least. I needed prozac!!!!
To top off the glamorous start, the septic tank overflowed and the cockroaches, decided to show themselves in the hoards and claim their home. It couldn’t have got any worse. I know I’m a risk taker to come all this way to a foreign country and start life again, aswell as have my share of previous reno houses to rebuild but this seems so overwhelming this time. Maybe it’s the age???? Thankfully we were able to sleep at Johnny’s brother’s house for the first two nights during which time major cleaning, spraying and organization took place.
7th February 2009
The back room was converted into a makeshift living and sleeping area today. To all my beautiful friends whom I love and appreciate, thank you so much for your help, love and support – what would I do without you. We all slept in the same room Saturday night being the first night in the house. The septic tank had been pumped and the toilet was at last functioning properly. The fleas were held off with aero guard and the roaches prayed to find a safe haven away from my trigger happy finger on the mortein roach spray. They had no chance! This was war and I was going to win! My humor hasn’t returned yet and I am feeling extremely sad and hopeless at the moment. All my excitement and dreams have flown out the windows when I came into this house. My spirits are very low now. It is Johnny who is keeping this dream alive at the moment. He is amazing – I have the most amazing husband in the world!!!
9th February 2009
I woke up Monday morning feeling so sorry for myself and our situation which I felt was devastating. I walked through to the lounge and jumped onto the couch quickly so as not to attract too much attention from the flea’s. Not sure if all of you know about the devastating flood in North Queensland and terrible bush fires in Victoria, South Australia. One of the worse natural disasters, in the history of Australia. Whole communities have been wiped out. The death toll from the fires alone was at last count 182. Nothing like a wake up call to pull you out of self pity I say… Here I was lamented about my situation and there these poor people have lost everything, some even family members, neighbors, cars and their life possessions. It makes a person put your priorities in order when you hear these stories. So there is nothing to do but chin up and soldier on Tracy!! It could only get better. Nothing more could go wrong. The pest man was coming today – hooray for that.
During this evening, the kids, Johnny and I were out in the front garden and saw our first green tree frog. He was incredible. I have only ever seen a tree frog in a book and thought they were very poisonous and dangerous, but these are native to Australia and completely harmless. He was bright green, with bulging black eyes. Fingers, with sticky pads on the end, which enabled his big body to hang onto the walls. Johnny chased him off and he made the most unusual noise. He seems quick cheeky. We have been watching out for the amazing bird life here too. There are whistles which are foreign and beautiful and there is one bird that sounds like a canary. There are lots of honey suckers around too. At night when all is quiet the cane toads come out in full force on the verandah. They are the ugliest things I’ve seen. Right across the road is about five or six black bulls that belong to a chicken farmer. He farms about 150 acres. Next door to us there is a lovely old lady who goes by the name Iris. Iris, is about 70 and sadly, just recently, lost her husband. We went over to introduce ourselves on Friday and she promptly proceeded to tell us about all the problems she knows about the house which didn’t do much for my morale to say the least. Johnny as per usual wasn’t concerned at all. I quote his words, “She is old and lonely and doesn’t know what’s going on here” She seems very nice though apart from the negative report she gave us. I think she is very glad that somebody will be paying attention to this old house and garden. I also think she is very lonely. Hopefully in time to come I can offer her some company. We are on the look out for goats now to help out with keeping the grass short. There are so many things to learn and I’m sure lots of mistakes to make but it’s a whole new world over here. If others can do this then so can I.
13th February 2009
We have made a little progress, it is incredible the change already though. The fleas are gone and so are the roaches. In fact I think every bug within 30 mile radius is moved out or dead. The septic tank is still working wonderfully and I have learned that there are numerous products that one can use in a septic tank that is not harmful to the system. I took a trip to the supermarket yesterday while the children were at school. I must have spent at least an hour in the cleaning aisle reading labels and was completely surprised to find that there are many products one can use. We have trimmed about four paddocks aswell as cleared the verandah of old carpets. Underneath we were pleasantly surprised to find solid hard wood. Plans to strip the paint, sand them up and varnish again to restore the long verandah. It really is a beautiful verandah. It overlooks all the paddocks. It has a real old fashion bell hanging on it. Like the old school bell. We laughed and joked that we would use it to round up the children someday. Jonathan is so excited about the ride on mower. He gets home from school and climbs onto it and whizzes around like it’s a toy. We replaced the fan belt on Monday and have gotten so much pleasure seeing the long, tall grass slowly disappear. It’s going to be amazing once it’s all clear and under control again. Today a bloke came around to get us a quote to cut it all with a slasher. It’s going to cost a pocket but worth every cent. He reckons he should be able to clear it all in about four to five hours. It is raining now and it’s so wonderful to know the rainwater tanks are filling again. I’m slowing starting to settle in this new home of ours. Lots will still change in the future and I’m excited again. We’ve weathered the worst part and it can only get better from here on out. I was thinking of making Iris a milk tart as a peace offering for all the noise we are making. Last night we were cutting grass and grinding and using the whipper, sniper all at the same time until about 7.30. What a din! Hopefully she will understand. Everybody seems so friendly and helpful around here which is great. Well, duty calls again. I need to go and clean the sliding door which I’ve been putting off all morning. I’m feeling tired today from all the cleaning and working I suppose. A good cuppa and back to the grind stone, I guess. Johnny just called to say he thinks we should have a curry potjie tonight because it’s raining. It’s feels like we are camping again. It’s so lovely to listen to the rain.
14th February 2009
I woke this Saturday on a valentines morning to the wonderful sound of the rain again, and Johnny’s footprints on the roof. He’s a man on a mission which I’m very grateful for. My body is aching this morning most probably from all the cleaning we did last night. We attacked the lights and cleaned out the skylight and fixed the kitchen fan today. A lot of what we are finding is just pure soap and water. The fan in the kitchen wasn’t working and after we cleaned it up, is going like a boeing!
The kids are awake at last, they both seem to be sleeping a whole lot more these days, it must be the clean country air or maybe a growth spurt! As I sit at the computer typing away I hear them putting on raincoats and making plans about what they are going to do. There goes the chainsaw again. This overgrown yard doesn’t stand a chance with the chainsaw in Johnny’s hand. The dams must be full to the brim from last night’s rainfall. I want to get some fish really soon, to put into the dams, for two reasons. I think it will be great fun for us to be able to throw a line in our own dam someday, and I believe the fish eat the mosquito larvae on the top. We discovered that our landline was working today – so happy about this. My modem will come next week too so then I will be back on line – hooray for that.
Well it is that time of the day again and yet again, we have had another full and productive day. The back yard is starting to look like something finally. The hedges are tamed into neat tidy rows again. They look wonderful. We can walk down the path now right to the end. The children had great fun tonight chasing tree frogs around the garden. The cane toads were in the hundreds again tonight but weren’t brave enough to venture up onto the verandah as we were sitting there. You just hear them in the distance croaking away. I’m discovering many hidden treasures in the form of pot plants in-between the bushes. Loads, of very unusual plants, some rather rare to see. Johnny unearthed an old bath today too which is in good condition still. I plan to use it for a water trough for the pony someday.
The load to the tip today was free. I’m so grateful for small blessings. I have to choose to see the small little steps of progress these days or I stand a risk of becoming despondent. Some moments feel like we have a huge mountain in front of us which is too high to get over. Always, though in my minds eye is the vision I hold onto, the one that took us down this path to start off with, of where we are going and of someday getting to our goal. We have begun and might only be at the foot of the mountain but at least we are not where we started. Tomorrow is another day.
15th February 2009
It was great to wake this morning to see the sun streaming into our room again. The garden was soaked yesterday with all the rain and it made it hard to get into. We decided to take a breather and visit the local farmers market in Jimboomba this morning. It was great to get out and about for a short while and to focus on something different. At the market I found a contact for my name plaque for the farm. What stunning work she does. I can visualize it already hanging above the drive way gate. I still haven’t decided what the name shall be but I’ve had a lot on my mind latterly and haven’t had much time to think about it – it will come. I bought an amazing wind chime, the best I’ve ever seen and it’s proudly hanging from the verandah awning. All we need now is some windy weather to enjoy the beautiful melodies. We bought some incense sticks too, made from essential oils to burn in the house. I’ve never been a lover of incense but any fragrance is better than the musty smell that is still lingering around this old farmhouse. It is much better but will take time. I also bought some homemade soaps all with exotic smells to place around the bathroom. It was great fun to go shopping.
The temperatures were up in the low 30 again today so by the time we got home it was boiling. Johnny wanted to attack the future chook pen, which was really overgrown to put it mildly. He managed to clear about a third but eventually had to put down his tools for an afternoon siesta. I managed to get some organization into our clothing cupboards at last. It was really hard to locate anything this past week. I still have heaps of boxes everywhere but the essential things are in place. I’m still hunting for Johnny’s cowboy hat which would really be of good use now, but, it is hiding from my eyes! I shall continue to search the numerous boxes ….
This afternoon Johnny discovered the fly screens lying in the garage, which was an unexpected surprise. I was planning to go and get new ones made up this week for the kitchen windows as ventilation in the kitchen is so needed. I have been longing to open the windows and now at last can. Another small blessing!
Second phase in the chook pen was a real productive one. Johnny cut more back in the chook pen, still not completed but at least half way now. He also cleaned up the fence lines around a few paddocks. It looks like everybody put poison down along the fence lines to stop the grass growing there. I’m not so keen on the poison bit but the alternative is to put up with unruly grass in between the fence lines. It just makes the whole job easier by using the poison. We need to learn all the tricks of a rural lifestyle still. Jonathan taught me to use the ride on mower this afternoon and I managed to make a little headway on the grass and have a bit of fun in the process. I wish the little machine had power steering like my car, but hey it cuts the grass good, so I’m grateful. Michaela, bless her heart, kept us hydrated with water, coffee and tea all afternoon. As we were packing up we took a walk over to say hello to the beautiful horses at the fence line that belong to dear old Iris. The one was so friendly and walked right on up to us for a scratch. I would say he was about 17 hands – so he is huge! He is a white horse, and is in excellent condition. He enjoyed the attention we gave him and didn’t look to happy to say goodbye when we left. I don’t think anybody rides them; but perhaps Iris uses him for breeding, who knows. So yet another successful day passes and my enthusiasm levels continue to grow. Maybe, just maybe we will see the light at the end of this tunnel soon. But for now my pillow is calling loud and clear. Goodnight….
16th February 2009
Monday, I can hardly believe we have been here for almost two weeks already. Today I got some bad news about the phone bundle I had signed up for. The provider does not have a port for our ASDL line – argh….. I was so hoping to be back on line this week but it’s not to be. Maybe there is a better deal – I just have to find it! That is tomorrow’s mission. Tonight we cut some more grass and gave our fireplace a good polish. It is the most beautiful fireplace I’ve seen. The whole thing is made from copper and shines up like a new penny. After dinner I was accompanied by Johnny to take the rubbish out to the dustbins just in case I met up with some active spiders who seem to enjoy spinning there webs during the evening hours and then they disappear in the morning. It was safe though and I couldn’t help enjoying the galaxy of stars above us. We have no street lights in Stockleigh Road so you truly see the heavens and their bounty. What an amazing sight. Johnny has just been outside to collect a tool and told me he saw the cat that the previous owners have left behind. It’s so scared and won’t come near us, in fact it look wild. This is the second time we have spotted him. I left food for him but he won’t touch it. I will give the RSPCA a call tomorrow – hopefully they will help to catch him.
17th February 2009
Well today I successfully signed up with Telstra with another new application – hopefully we can now move forward in this department. Today was filled with the normal cleaning – I managed to move into the laundry area and clean out that area quite successfully too. The taps and basins sparkled by the time I was done.
Johnny cut a little verge grass this evening but then the heavens opened before he got much done. I’m grateful for the rain, but it does put a spanner in the works when it comes to garden work. It has cooled things down a wee bit too which is good. Johnny started painting the lounge tonight. We have chosen a cement color which looks amazing. It will be wonderful when I can finally hang some curtains and add the final accessories.
There’s nothing like an exciting evening out on an acreage. During the mornings clean up of Michaela’s room I noticed Bugsy’s (her pet Guinea pig) food packet was chewed on the one side. I wondered about this but didn’t dwell too long on it as I have lots on my plate to do. Tonight as Johnny was painting we heard Michaela screeching from her room. A rat had sought out the food and was the obvious culprit to the hole in the packet. She happened to find it scurrying around her room. Johnny to the rescue again! He cornered it and let’s just say he eliminated it quickly. A burial followed and hopefully the stray cat doesn’t dig it up. I saw the cat again this afternoon on the verandah this time. It still very skittish, but Irish said she would call the previous owners daughter to come and collect it. I hope she comes soon. The poor thing must be so stressed. I don’t know what else to do too.
18th February 2009
Tonight we were cleaning up the front fenceline and got to meet the neighbors on the right hand side of us. Everybody is so sweet, helpful and happy to chat. We also met the one son of the original owner to all the land around – Andrew. He was very helpful too. He was very happy to fill us in on all the “gossip” of the neighborhood. The party animals, the disputes that have happened and the run down of the chicken farm across the road. I now know why I’ve been smelling manure every now and again. This man across the road has the chicken manure spread over the front paddock for his “hobby”. Let me explain, apparently the five or six huge black bulls (studs) are his hobby and he uses the chicken manure to keep the paddock green and lush for the “pet” bulls. It really works I must agree but the smell can get a bit much some times. His property is 150 acres on which a large portion, chickens are farmed. The neighbors on the right told us tonight that the front fenceline and trees hadn’t been so clean in 30 years! That explains the reason why it’s taking so long to trim back. Johnny saw his first snake tonight cleaning up the front – thankfully I didn’t see it. It wasn’t big according to him but it was brown. Hopefully it was just a common one and not the deadly brown snake I’ve been warned about. Johnny cut back enough so we could open the third gate up. On second look at the fence I think it will need to be replaced fairly soon as the wood is really old. The neighbor says about 30 years so go figure!
Well, tomorrow I’ve got an errand to run to the lawnmower shop again. Have to get a washer of sorts for the ride-on. The steering wheel is not working so well so Johnny stripped the machine tonight and discovered the washer needed replacing. I have such a wonderful talented man! Iris dropped by tonight and she seems to really be warming up to us. She told us what to do about the pesky cane toads. She says she sprays them with a little dettol and water and they disappear. She never sees their dead bodies but they don’t come back either which is the answer. As I am typing now I glance outside the sliding glass doors to the verandah and there sits my friend, the toad. I have never seen so many toads before in my life. I must get some dettol tomorrow for sure.
I managed to complete another application over the phone today with Telstra for a landline, ADSL line and a mobile phone. Hopefully I will be back on line soon. I had to cancel the previous order with AAPT as they couldn’t give me a port for the internet. It will be so nice to be all set up again at last and all the dramas are over and done with!
Tomorrow the slasher man is arriving to hopefully clear the back paddocks. Part of me can’t wait and part is scared because once he clears it, we have to then maintain it. I worry that we won’t be able to get to all of it some days, but hey, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Little by little we will get there. It makes me wonder more and more though how we really do need a tractor and slasher to own ourselves. I’m dreading this invoice. Well, tomorrow’s a wonderful sleep away and I’m getting really sleepy now.
19TH February 2009
It was wonderful to wake to sunshine again this morning. Everything was sure to dry out and be good for the slasher which was waiting outside bright and early as I took the children down to the bus stop. It took 7 and a half hours for him to flatten the tall grass but my, what a difference. I could appreciate the dam at the bottom paddock and got to see all the tiny little guppies in it. Johnny says he was told if we put fresh water crays in it, they will eat the reeds in the dam, so that’s our plan. How many we need is a mystery to me now but we will learn. The day was turning out to be an amazing day. My new mobile phone arrived on my doorstep mid morning which was really exciting. Johnny arrived home mid morning to fix the ride on mower’s steering that unbeknown to me at the time had stripped and eventually would stop turning all together. So leaving slasher man Tim behind, to carry on the wonderful job he was doing with the tractor headed off to find a place in Logan Village that we saw advertising tractors. I now realize just how essential tractors are to farm chores. Come what may we will chase down that tractor out there somewhere with our name on it! We found the shop and low and behold guess who’s running the business, none other but another ex-pat from SA, from Pretoria. I said to Johnny I’m sure that is an S.African accent I hear and so we asked where they were from. We chatted for awhile and he told us how he and his wife battled with the immigrating and we swapped stories for awhile and then got back to business. He said he didn’t have any tractors available at the moment but was expecting one to come it soon. A really nice second hand one with a bucket in the front and a slasher at the back. So we left our details with him there and moved on to the next shop which sold spares for the ride on. The man behind the counter was so friendly and nice aswell. Folk in these smaller towns are a different caliber of people to the city slickers. They seem to be less reserved and entirely more friendlier which I am really enjoying. This chap guessed we had bought the stockleigh Road property and told us he knew Paul the previous owner. He had done business with him a number of times and fixed his ride on a few times too. It turns out that Paul didn’t pay him for the lawnmower and now has moved on. This man’s reputation precedes him, so we are finding out. I felt quite bad but as Johnny says it’s this man’s battle to get the money from Paul not ours. We paid Paul in good faith and had no idea that Paul had already sold it to this man and then to make a duck with the money. Not a nice situation. He was really nice to us though and there were no hard feelings. He phoned around for the part we needed and sent us to the correct shop. We got some poison for the fence lines from another shop down the road and saw they had laying hens for sale, one’s just like yours Dad. It’s going to be wonderful to have our own soon.
By the time we got back, Tim, the slasher man was three quarters done and it looks wonderful. Tim told us he hadn’t seen one snake in all that grass which was amazing to him. You see, my prayers were answered and they have all moved out – yay! Johnny fixed the ride on which is working like a charm and the steering wheel is almost as good as power steering!!!!! He found an old trailer lying in the garden which he fixed up and attached it to the ride on. I, of course climbed on and putted around the garden with the trailer on the back picking up all the cuttings laying around. It was hilarious. A real photo moment for sure. I felt like farmer brown. I must say it helped heaps by being able to cart more cutting at one time. I still can’t find my camera cables which is frustrating me no end as I’m missing so many photo opportunities. Tomorrow I will find them, make no mistake about that. I also haven’t found Johnny’s cowboy hat yet.
Later this afternoon Johnny decided that we should take a ride in the ute (bakkie) around the paddocks to the end to have a look down by the ravine. It was wonderful and I felt my heart soaring again for the first time in a while. It is really a beautiful property and the freshly cut grass, the dam, all the pine trees, the birds just made for the most beautiful picture before my eyes. I will hold on to that memory when times are tough in the future. Well, as I was having all these wonderful thoughts in my head Johnny stopped the Ute to gaze out over the vastness of the paddocks and that’s when we realized we were stuck in a very moist piece of ground. Johnny looked at me and I looked at him. What were we to do now! To add to this picture there was a storm brewing and the clouds were coming in fast and thick. There was thunder in the distance. Johnny thought the Rav being a 4 wheel drive would be able to pull the Ute out so we hurried up to the house and got my car. Needless to say I nearly burnt my clutch out and gave up. Jonathan by this time had run up to the road to see if he could find Andrew. Do you remember, Andrew, the bloke who filled us in on the gossip of the neighborhood and who worked over on the chicken farm? We are sure to be the talk of the hood after this saga…. Well, thanks to Jonathan, Andrew came to the rescue with his boss’s tractor. Note to self, the useful tractor again. I’m really getting to like these pieces of farm equipment and learning fast how rural folk get going. Why kill yourself when there are all these amazing machines around. I can’t wait for our own now. Andrew towed Johnny out of the muck and we thanked him ever so much for being so helpful. He said goodbye and we decided that it was time to call it a day. As for the storm, well nothing came of it. The clouds blew over and we had a few drops of rain but nothing much. I did get my car parked undercover though for the first time as at one point the clouds looks greenish which is sure to spell hail. My car has been standing out in the element since we got here as the garage door is too low and I can’t fit in under it. We will have to make a plan to modify the door soon but until then I have an awning to protect my car with. It’s a tight squeeze but will have to do for now.
Tonight Johnny pulled out the old dishwasher in the kitchen. It was rusty and old and needs to be replaced. I will start shopping for a new one some time soon. I hope I can find a similar size one as it appears that the kitchen cupboards were built around it – silly but that’s how it is.
Michaela is coughing badly as I sit here at the computer and type - I was thinking of taking her to the doctor today but she is not sick really, it’s just this cough mostly at night. Tomorrow I will get some cough mixture and if that doesn’t help, it will be doctor on Saturday I think. I must find a new doctor this side now aswell.
Another action packed day on the farm! My pillow calls me yonder.
20 February 2009
Today was a very ordinary day and I coped rather badly on my own alone in the farm house. I felt so disappointed but after a long chat with you Dad, my spirits are lifted. Thank you for believing in our ability to change this place and for encouraging me not to forget to smell the roses. There are wonderful privileges to living on a farm and there are loads of challenges too. As time passes by I’m sure I’ll settle in. It is an incredible adjustment period again for all of us. Somedays I feel sorry for myself and think perhaps we have gone to far this time, but then I remember that this is our dream come true. We have wanted to do this forever and a day. Living out a dream is not all honey and roses but what if we didn’t make the plunge, we would have always wondered what it would be like. In my mind that is worse.
I took care of the general chores today and unpacked a few more items. Later this afternoon I went back into Carindale shopping centre and it struck me that it was no longer my shopping centre and I was okay with that. Driving home later this evening after collecting the kids from youth back in Carindale I found myself enjoying the openness of the country as we left suburbia. I am settling, it’s happening really slowly but still it is happening none the less. I managed to locate one of my older camera’s and have some batteries charging now so hopefully tomorrow I can start snapping away. Johnny will probably be working most of tomorrow as he has a big job on the go. The kids and I will get stuck into moving all the tree cuttings to the back. I have some shopping to do and would like to investigate the Beau desert farm store. Must make up my list of “to do’s” aswell.
21st February 2009
Today was a great day and once again I felt excited about all the changes happening around me. The ride on started on the swing of the key which was great as Johnny wasn’t around to jump start it as per usual. I buzzed around cutting the front and back paddocks. Jonathan moved more of the tree cutting from the front garden to the pile at the back. Tonight I saw my neighbor making a bonfire with his cuttings, so that answers my questions about making fires. Yay! I was thinking, the tip was going to be smiling by the time we are done but it looks like I don’t have to make all those trips. As soon as the wood is dry – it’s bonfire time!!!!.... you are all invited so bring your marshy’s and who’s got a guitar?????
Johnny returned from work this afternoon and brought the wap again. He high pressure washed the sides of the house. He blew those cobwebs to kingdom come!! I was so excited to see them disappear. He also whapped the concretes side path’s and they look amazing. I found my proper charger for the digital camera tonight which is great, the other camera’s batteries weren’t charging. So for definite tomorrow will be the day I snap away.
We opened up a video account today and it reminded me of the time we first arrived in Australia. This move has been a lot like then, only I’m much more courageous than I was then. I overheard another ex pat SA in the video store. That is the second family in two days but I’m sure there are many more. I’m starting to fall in love with this country life after all and am thinking I will survive!! The clean fresh air and open spaces are just the best! Took another walk down to the ravine this afternoon, it looks so wild and untouched down there. We had some lovely rain this afternoon and at one point the sun was even out while it rained. A good old monkey’s wedding. The Australians don’t know what this it, they call it something else. The weather out here is really extreme out here and I think we are going to have amazing cloud formations because of this too. The sunsets are incredible aswell.
23rd February 2009
Today I snapped the fan belt of the ride on while out in the one of the far paddock and am so frustrated! The grass, although cut, is just so dense and the ride on can’t handle it. The trailer’s make shift connection to the ride on broke off too so we were unable to use either. I think the grass is too thick for this ride on, which just brings me back to getting a tractor ever so quickly as I see this grass growing before my eyes…. My check from the government for the first time home owners grant arrived in the mail today – yippee, tractor money here we come. Johnny got a piece of stone in the sole of his foot yesterday while walking around bare foot and has been limping around all day today so we had to remove it tonight. It was surgery in the first degree. I got it out but it looks all septic so I put some betadene on it with a band-aid. He says his foot is aching. I really hope he hasn’t gotten blood poisoning; we will just have to watch it.
I took some wonderful photos of the green tree frogs around yesterday. They are getting less and less as we are clearing which is sad but the brushes and bushes have to go. I saw the cat again today on the verandah, I called the estate agent that sold us our house, for Allison number to ask her to come and collect her mother’s cat. Apparently she has phoned and left two messages for me which I never got. I now left a message for her but she still hasn’t called me back. I don’t want to call the RSPCA but not too sure what else to do. I guess I’ll wait a few more days and see what happens.
Today I cleaned out the linen cupboards and was able to unpack three whole boxes – Woo hoo! I’m getting there slowly but surely. Yesterday Johnny worked until midday and still got a lot of cutting and pruning done when he came home too. He cut around the side where our bedroom is now. He cleaned up the little verandah outside our sliding glass door and wapped away all the dirt on the outside ceiling and walls. I think some of the water must have come inside by accident as my jewelry box got all wet aswell as some of the carpet which has now caused another smell – I can’t win!!!! It really looks good out there now. This morning when I woke the sun was streaming into our room more than ever which was great. Hopefully the sun will dry up the damp smell tomorrow. Johnny also climbed onto the roof yesterday and cut back the tree’s which were hanging over the house. This has all helped to lighten up the back of the house as it was quite dark. I think I will still have to put in a skylight though, the long verandah doesn’t allow much light to penetrate that side of the house. Johnny swept the roof and cleaned out all the gutters too. It was raining leaves for a while. I should have taken a photo of that but didn’t think of it at the time. Tonight we loaded the entire lot of tree cutting laying in the front that was left behind from the other day and carted it to the back. I am really hoping to burn it all but am nervous as there is a fire ban at the moment I think. The front garden is clear for now until we start cutting back again. Boy it’s a tireless job pruning but I guess it has to come to an end sooner or later. I called the pest man back today and asked him to come back and spray again in the house as there is still the odd bug running around and I don’t like it. He said he will come back but on his own time. I really hope he won’t mess me around. He guaranteed his work so let’s see.
Michaela pipes up yesterday “Mom, you know what we need?” I asked her what? She says we need domestic blitz to come and fix our house. I just laughed and told her that her Daddy was all the domestic blitz we need. I must admit though today my spirits are low and I’m feeling overwhelmed. Tomorrow is a new day though and I know the mercies of the Lord are new every morning. I will go and get the fan belt, and Johnny can fix the trailer tomorrow night. I will focus on cutting the grass outside our bedroom with the push mower tomorrow and will get stuck in to the flower bed in the afternoon once it cools down. Rome wasn’t built in a day, Tracy. The evening are nice and cool and there is no need for air-conditioning which is such a blessing, but during the day, this house is like a sauna and the air-con runs non stop. Johnny says he has seen some insulation in one part of the ceiling but it sure doesn’t feel like it’s making a difference, if it is there. Will have to investigate and see what the verdict is, sometime.
Just heard a noise at the kitchen sliding glass door and saw the biggest toad! Got a good photo of him. I sure wish they would disappear faster. I think Iris’s advice will work. I must make an effort to follow through with this and see if it makes a difference.
24th February 2009
Today turned out to be amazing. I guess this is one great thing about this whole unsettling mess. Life is always interesting and you never know what’s about to happen. I decided to keep Michaela at home and take the plunge and go and find a doctor as she had been coughing all night.
We went to Jimboomba medical centre and had no problem getting an appointment and while we had some time to spare while we waited, I decided to go and get the fan belt for the ride on, which was very interesting to say the least. Here I was with my mobile in my hand with my finger on Johnny’s number. He, the man behind the counter, was asking me all these detailed questions about the motor of the ride-on. How’s a lady supposed to know all this…… Well, suffice as to say I called Johnny and handed the phone over to the guy behind the counter quickly. This man must think I’m one very green, country pumpkin. None the less I got what I came for and left feeling quite pleased with myself even if I did call Johnny. LOL
The doctor turned out to be amazingly easy to chat too and I shared all my concerns with him about the bugs, and the tank water etc, etc and he was just great. We had a medical student who came into the rooms with us and offered his insight too which was interesting to see the hands on learning taking place on my daughter! We left armed with a prescription of anti-biotics and bactraban for all the noono bites on Micky’s legs.
The afternoon was very ordinary and I just did some washing, rearranged the boxes from Michaela’s cupboard to the rumpus room (spare room) which in turn freed up a huge amount of space to hang clothes. This turned out to be an exhausting project and my back was aching from all the heavy boxes. I collapse on the couch with the air-con blasting and completely relaxed for the next hour which was just what the doctor ordered.
With renewed energy and resolve I tackled the front piece of garden with the electric push mower and was amazed at how this little machine made such headway. I had got so enthusiastic about cutting the grass that I didn’t notice the time. Johnny arrived home with news that he had found a tractor in Ipswich for sale. I rang the man, from the other tractor place to find out what was happening with the tractor he was expecting – the one we had given our contact details for, to find out what had happened about that one before we went to look at this one. He told me that it was in worse condition than expected and wasn’t suitable for us. I told him about the one Johnny had seen in the paper and he told me to call him first before we bought anything as a few tractors have been imported illegally and to get spares is a nightmare! I thanked him for his help and relayed the story to Johnny. Tomorrow we will make a plan to go and see this tractor which is so exciting! It’s great to know that we have sort of got a catch net in the form of this bloke to help us navigate this unknown road.
Johnny got stuck into the front garden again and broke through the bush in the one section so now we can see the road at long last. What an achievement. The ride on was repaired and so we took the chance to maintain a few areas we have cleared already. The garden is really starting to take shape now and it is very rewarding to look at.
We worked until it got dark and realized supper bugs were calling. Being cheaper Tuesday (this is the day that most things are cheaper and the best time to buy takeaway, petrol etc) we decided to go eat a pizza at Eagle boys. I just felt like going out and this seemed like a good thing to do.
We got to Jimboomba centre and couldn’t decide what to eat. I think we are all fed up with Pizza – I mean there is only so much pizza one can eat. LOL. We looked around and found a Bistro which we had never seen before and decided to go check it out. We stayed and had a wonderful meal for a very reasonable price. I’ll go back just for the veggies – they were incredible. I’m tired of cooking on our barbeque and in the microwave and it was great to have a meal prepared so deliciously by somebody else for a change. We will definitely be going back there.
Getting back home and closing up tonight I saw another three green tree frogs – huge one’s too so I guess they are not disappearing only hiding during the noisy clean up’s.
The pest man didn’t come again and didn’t phone either. He is annoying me now – what to do???? Allison didn’t call either nor did the estate agent come around. I think the thing I hate the most in life is when somebody says they will do something and don’t follow through. Note to self, don’t ever treat others in this manner.
I phoned Telstra today and confirmed the number and line I am using is definitely mine which is great as I had uncertainty about this. They also told me that by the end of this week I should have my modem and I will be back on line. Oh, I can not wait for this day. I have missed the internet intensely. Goodnight to another day in the life of the brussow family.
Ps Johnny’s foot is heaps better – thank you Lord.
25th February 2009
I just received two phone calls this morning and my faith in humanity is restored. I must remember to not always be so quick to judge a situation and give the other person the benefit of the doubt. These souls perhaps had a very hard day yesterday and just didn’t get around to calling. I myself do not always respond immediately. I am eating my words now.
Alison called just now and is on her way with a cat cage. Fred the pest man called too and has booked me in for Friday morning. Roaches and fleas beware, your days are numbered. Yay, we are making headway, all I need now is that tractor and life will be much more pleasant. I have no idea how the cat will be caught but I’m going to leave that in God’s hands. Maybe he will draw the cat like he did the animals to the ark. That is a nice thought. We have to just be quick enough and see when the cat comes close to the cage. An adventure, for Jonathan, no doubt.
Alison just arrived with the cage, she didn’t even bring food. Does she expect me to buy food for her mother’s cat? What a cheek! What does she think? She then proceeds to tell me if one of her cats get sick she will need the cage back!!!!! Oh Lord, help me please have a right attitude here. This should not be my problem.
The afternoon passed with ease. I went to the bank to change addresses and paid some accounts. After I came home I emptied two more boxes of shoes. Boy we have a lot of shoes. I set up the cat cage after dinner with some left over chicken inside in a bowl. Let’s hope it pays off. It was nice to watch “farmer wants a wife” this evening and then “house”. It’s been such a long while since Johnny and I have watched the telly. Earlier on Johnny worked on the gas stove. All the plate’s work now but the oven doesn’t. Something to do with the flint. It will take a while to get use to cooking on this stove. I generally don’t like the smell of gas, it gives me instant giggyness. I will have to be a trouper and give it a try though. Tomorrow night’s project. Should be fun????
26th February 2009
Today I made headway with the children’s rooms. They almost look like they should. I removed all the boxes and set up the clothing correctly in each cupboard along with shoes and underwear. I washed the walls and gave the rooms an all rounder clean. The estate agents came around to look at the progress we have made, and they were amazed. Lisa said that if we put it back on the market today, as is, we would made an extra $20 000! Can you imagine what it will be like in six months time! It was very rewarding to hear them say this and it made all the hard work and tears worth while. I’m not going anywhere though, my dream is just started to come right. My heart was light this afternoon. I received a phone call from Telstra and it looks like the ASDL line is not to be for us. My mood quickly swung to frustration, but then she offered me another package with wireless internet. It is slightly more but totally worth it. Will place the order tomorrow and then it should be about a week. We will get there.
This afternoon I did a trip to the shops to get some groceries. Johnny had shown me how to use the gas stove last night and I was going to try it out. I also bought the trading post (newspaper with secondhand items for sale, something like the junk mail back in SA) with the aim to look for a tractor. While browsing I saw an advert for a beagle tri-color puppy for sale in a area about two hours from us. I got so excited as prior to us moving I had been looking around and no body had any puppies. I had finally found a lady whose dog was due to have her litter at the end of February and then six to eight weeks later the pups would be ready. Jonathan was disappointed as he wanted the pup soon. I rung the lady up straight away and we are going to look and possibly take the puppy on Sunday. There’s something which is nice to look forward too.
My meal cooked on the gas stove was very tasty and I’m rather chuffed with myself. I don’t like the smell of gas when you start it and I get lightheaded, but then again I’ve always been sensitive to the smell of gas. Will make sure there is plenty of ventilation during future cooking times.
Tonight I set the bait for the cat and we almost had him caught. He was in the cage eating and Jonathan pulled the rope a little too hard and the whole cage felt over and the cat escaped. He is probably so frightened now and won’t be back for a while. Darn it! It was really easy though and at least now we know it is possible. Shame the poor thing.
Johnny cut the grass down by the dog kennels tonight and it looks great!
27th February 2009
This day started off great and just got heaps better! The pest man came again and re-sprayed this morning. I was a bit annoyed with him as he told me that the roaches are still around because I wiped the cupboard down, but Johnny asked him that question when he was last here???? So that leaves me thinking I am been told two stories and I think I will get someone else in three months time again who is more reliable. He was very nice and helpful but at the end of the day I want the pests dead! I won’t unpack any kitchen crockery until then and that means we are in limbo which isn’t very nice. Anyhow he left and I made my way to the Telstra offices in Jimboomba and was pleasantly surprised on the further information that I was given. Unbeknown to me Telstra provides an internet service for 12 months too at the same cost that Bigpond offers. Telstra and Big pond are one and the same but separate if that makes any sense! The difference is the contract period, no discount and you walk out the shop with your modem, if you choose Telstra. I have to check my usage regularly, as Telstra do not slow you down if you exceed 5 gigs whereas Big pond does, Big pond offer the discount of 50% for the first 12 months thereafter for two year you are locked in to the full price. Bigpond limit you though if you exceed 5 gigs. Bigpond don’t charge us for the modem whereas Telstra do, however you can pay it off if need be. Another bonus is with Telstra’s modem, it is reusable once the contract expires whereas Big pond is not. So after a quick discussion with the “big boss” we decided to go Telstra’s route and I walked out with my modem under my arm and plan to be online tonight if I can help it!
I then went over to the library to get a library card. I was pleasantly surprised to find the local council offices in the same building and by chance just went up to the information desk. I reported that my dustbin is broken. It was all sorted and I should receive my spanking new bin in three days – how incredible is that! I then went onto the library and had great fun choosing books and mags to my heart’s content. I think I took all the farming mags I could find including a book on how to buy a horse and handy housecleaning tips. At home I took the opportunity to clear out my poor car who has taken such a beating in the elements these past few weeks. I still haven’t found a garage that has a car wash machine any where close around here. As I opened the boot door I saw the saddest sight. Two alive tree frogs in my hinges – how did they get there? How did they survive the intense heat? There was a third one who was unlucky and at some point had gotten squashed. He was dry like biltong!!!! I must have squashed him some time ago…. OH, how disgusting is that. I rescued the two alive ones and transferred them to the trees nearby and excavated the other fellow from the hinge. I can’t understand how they got there – it’s bazaar….
I rung the water tank cleaning company to arrange an appointment with them to come out and clean the tanks and am very pleased to have the next step being sorted out regarding the water. After this I need to get the filters checked out and replaced if necessary.
Yes, I am back on the internet, this wireless modem is awesome. Now I need to set up a new email address with Telstra. I tried but no luck, will have to phone support tomorrow morning and get some guidance. I feel so frustrated right now.
Johnny cut the kennels grass tonight and it looks amazing. You can see the building and my mind is racing with the possibilities of changing it into a granny/guest flat. It will be so amazing. There was a vine of sorts with a very funny fruit – never seen it before, growing on all the fences which is now gone, so happy about that.
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