Re-awakening

There has been a flurry of activity just lately with Ela's birthday coming up. We are keen to finish off the remaining 10% of the work. Its only been 10 months since we moved in but the ball is rolling again!

So the tilers finally returned. They tiled the outside bathroom, grouted the remaining tiles at the back, tiled the front step and finished off the tiles in the courtyard. This meant we could also get the back tiles cleaned up and then sealed. Hopefully now the dog's trip to the soil and back, to bury bones, won't leave quite the same mess. The final job out there is to silicon the edges around the glass fence and against the house.

Then the electricians came and we now have dining table lights, all the display cabinet lights, outdoor lights, lights on the stairs and all the down lights. Still to do is to finish the tv wiring so we can move the media cabinet back to the wall.

We have had blinds fitted on the stairway, as well as on all the downstairs windows (17 sets in total). They are roller blinds that keep UVA out and hence heating and cooling bills down (hopefully). They are also semi-transparent so we still get plenty of light in.

New Year New Post

Well I haven't been keeping up with the development of the house as the holiday season has been in full swing. Today Cronulla furniture came by and swapped the entertainment unit as it had a big chip out of it when it was delivered. And tomorrow Jimmy Possum are coming by to take the table away for a sanding. When it was delivered in mid December, the sides were really rough and splintering. We were catching clothes on it and I was worried the kids would hurt themselves - so back it will go to Victoria.

Hoping to get the tilers back to finish the grout and then we can seal the tiles. The kids have loved playing out there though over the holidays and that's what matters.

Long list of odd jobs that need wrapping up:
*shower screens installed
*glass splashback in the kitchen
*electrician needs to finish off lights and tv install
*various odd jobs for the carpenter such as door handles etc.

The pool week

This week we finally started to finish the pool and today we took our first dip.
On Monday the pump and filter box were installed.
On Tuesday the certifier arrived to check the pool fence and gates were compliant. He told us that our fence was going to have to be modified because the horizontal batons can act as footholds and therefore need to be altered. As does the back of the fence that divides next door - that means we'll have to get in there and do it.
On Wednesday four guys turned up and started scrubbing the concrete. On Thursday a big truck came and they sprayed on the beadcrete coating over the base to give it that beautiful blue colour. It is so bright that it makes the mosaic tiles look brown and dull.
Then on Friday the certifier returned and said we could go ahead and fill the pool. We turned on the hose about Midday and 26 hrs later we recon it was only a third full. So we took the kids in for a paddle and a splash. Cold but lovely on this hot afternoon.
The total fill size is $80,000 litres which will take 3 days to fill with a hose!

joinery

Today another great Friday. The joiner finished off built-in mirrored wardrobes in the kids rooms, walk-in robe in our room (complete with pant racks!), the linen cupboard and the walk-in pantry. (Although they may need to come and finish off as we're not completely satisfied he made best use of the space). Mind you we did decide to put the spare fridge in there too. Now we just need to go shopping to fill the shelves!!!!!

The balustrade guy finished off the pool fence (glass) and fitted the final gate which locks the pool out of harms way. Now we can get the private certifier in to give the go ahead to the pool people to finish their part.


The airconditioning is finished and working upstairs. And the waterproofer came to do the outside areas (courtyard water feature, external shower room and side planter box).

And the tiler returned to silicone all of the bathrooms so we can now start to use the kids one once we have fitted the tallboy together. The shower screens were also measured today so waiting on a quote for that.

Unfortunately the electrician didn't come so still no tv and a few lights missing. And the carpenter still yet to reappear (waiting for payment) so no bathroom sliding door - priority as parents on their way here next week. Plus needs to complete various skirting boards and door handles. And still no plumbing in the kitchen.

Kitchen benchtops

Today the kitchen benchtops were fitted which was a surprise - that was only one night cooking without a benchtop. The colour is a bit bland but stone is impressive the way it drops to the floor. Now we have to measure for the glass splash back. And get the plumber back to connect up the sinks. For now we can use the laundry for dishwashing.

D-Day

Yessssss we did it - we moved in! It's been 10 long months since we moved out but now we are ready to enjoy the fruits of our labour - mine mental, Mark's physical.

We spent the day loading and unloading cars, followed by some maneouvering if large items like dishwashers, washing machines and dryers. Then we got the sofas out and the table and chairs.

Tom had a ball following us up and down the long hallway and delighted in 'new' toys he came across...cardboard boxes, newspaper, plastic kids plates and cups...

Ela satyed with Aunty Angie and Uncle Jamie and cousin Sophie for the day but when she finally arrived she also was in seventh heaven re-discovering all her old toys that had been locked up (by the builders) in her old room.

Well its light, airy, cold (no aircon yet) and beautiful. We tried unsuccessfully to hoover the carpet - new carpets are full of fluff balls. Our tiny dustbuster just wasn't up to the job - Mark drove out to work to borrow the industrial vac and that gave up in a puff of smoke so we went and borrowed the neighbours'. Something for the xmas list (how boring).

We slowly unpacked the kitchen boxes and got a look at our wardrobes and some long lost clothes :) We had pizza for dinner and used the 'old' bathroom - as we are still waiting on shower screens.

A Final Push

No we are not having a baby - although right now that would be a more welcoming option. At least with a baby you know it'll be over in 9 months :)

Today there were the following tradespeople at the house:
joiner (for the laundry refit)
plumber
tiler (pool)
carpet layer
4 electricians
3 painters
2 carpenters

So as you can imagine the house is almost at a liveable state. There are plenty more details to go (lets not mention lack of kitchen benchtop) but tomorrow we are DEFINITELY moving in.