Pretty shiney floor!

The floors are done ... they look truly amazing!

The shine!!!! In the sunlight they look a slightly different colour. The fumes are rather nasty at the moment ... but hopefully in another couple of days, with the windows all open, the air might be breatheable! I'm just so glad to be back in the house ... though I'm itching to start moving things in. I desperately need to tidy up my current living area ... and it would be so much easier if I could just MOVE things into their correct spots! eg. the telephone ... would be nice to plug it in at an actual phone point vs leaving it on my floor!!

Only one issue with my gorgeous floors .... after half an hour of the animals being allowed on it ...


I'll be investing in some new cleaning things! Nothing I had before will really help it. Anyway ... once the whole thing is covered in dirt, no one will notice a couple of footprints!!

The floor guy did spring some surprises on me though ... apparently NO furniture is supposed to go on it for a week (ummm ... the day before Christmas?!) and no floor rugs for 3 weeks (lucky he told me that, I would have instantly put something down to protect it!).

Yesterday I went up to a place that supplies cabinet bits ... I wanted to get the inserts for my kitchen drawers, but wanted to see them before ordering them (they are much cheaper through the internet, but I can't play with them beforehand). Nice guy who helped me out took me through some of the options ... and I bought the cutlery ones. I'll go back for more once I've got a bit better idea of how things work out (I was also missing one measurement which was a pain!).

Funnily enough the cabinet supplier's lovely catalogue had something the joiner had sworn was IMPOSSIBLE and didn't exist!!!! That stupid half bottle draw ... he said there were no other options, that "the cabinet was too big for the draw" ... I thought he was bullshitting - I knew the kitchen designer knew what she was doing, she wouldn't have designed a cabinet for something that didn't exist ... and as I looked through the catalogue ... there it was ... the EXACT thing that was supposed to have been put in - for the exactly right carcass size! I'll get the builder to hand the photocopied page over to the joiner :-) :-) ;-)

Curtains have arrived - I haven't unpacked them yet as I don't want them to get dirty.

Off to get light globes today so once the lights go in ... I can have lights.

Been having discussions between the builder, myself and the architect about $$$$$$$ ... builder of course wants to be paid before Christmas ... but he hasn't completed the stage. I'd already given him 1/5 of the payment but he's been hassling me for more. I was sticking on that there was no sign-off from the architect ... so the builder rang the architect and told him to come down and see that the work was done. When the architect got here ... he realised that the builder wasn't quite telling ALL the truth, that although the things left to go aren't big (lots of 10 minute jobs) there are LOTS of them to be done (a number of days work) and that it wasn't as done as the builder had told the architect. We've agreed for a bit more to be paid out, but the remaining amount will not be paid until a list of things has been completed:
- Kitchen bench
- Kitchen sink and taps
- Bathroom taps
- Bathroom vanity
- Toilet
- WC vanity
- Laundry cupboard completion
- Hotwater
- Eternal latches and locks (lock-up stage)

Which doesn't even include finishing the tiling, the painting, the rangehood, the skirting boards and so much more!!!! But at least those are the all important things! (I do have to say ... that finally the architect is being helpful vs causing more work ... maybe he did have his uses!!)

Annnndddd .... is today ... THE DAY!!! The most exciting day? The one I've really been hanging out for ... will it REALLY REALLY happen?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??! Off to talk to the builders to ask ... you'll have to wait to see!!

Your first look at the full house

Whilst the weather was lovely they got quite a bit of the roof tin on ... and I finally got to see what the final look will be like. Gone is the little cottage side ... now it is a lovely big house!!

Below is the window that today made me cry in front of the builers (how very embarrassing!!) ....

&^*(E#&(@! architect!!! His lovely design on paper ... doesn't actually work in reality. It was supposed to match the existing windows (below) ... the specifications say "match existing windows" - but even the dimensions given don't match the existing window!

The red line shows the line of the veranda rafter ... the window was supposed to go up to where the open section is ... obviously ... not going to work. Soooooo frustrating!! If certain people had measured properly, if they had actually looked at the design, if they had actually thought!!!! I suppose I should have know - but I thought he knew what he was doing ... and that if I read something said "match" then it was going to ... match!! The pretty pictures (not sure they can be called plans) looked right.

The poor builder is fairly cross about it all (being nice of course!) ... other than 1 window, every single window in the specifications is wrong. He's been unable to order in the windows and the wall frames have had to have alterations.

We have the same rafter problem across the french doors going out from the kitchen and dining room - the builders had already agreed that the rafter will have to be cut so it doesn't block the door... there is no other alternative anyone can think up!

Walls!!

The architect managed to come back in daylight ... and we went over the frame. I hope he knew what he was looking at, because I have noooo idea!! He seemed quite happy with everything. The builder was around so we went through a couple of issues I'd raised.

One issue I've been concerned about was the bay windows. I thought they were going to be sash windows but the builder pointed out that on the plan the markings indicate a casement window (I had no idea that is what those lines were). I'd sort of resigned myself that I must have not checked it over properly ... but I went back for one last look at the specs ... and on the window schedule it says "sash" ... so I wasn't wrong. The architect just made an error having sash on one document and casement on another.

After some discussions yesterday ... I'm getting my sash windows!! Yippeee!! I really didn't want fly screens inside the house ... and leaning against fly screens whilst sitting on the window seat wasn't something I thought would be nice. (oh ... and so much for the builder's comments that the windows were ordered and couldn't be changed ... he didn't even bring that up in front of the architect.

After more discussion we've also managed to reduce the amount of balkhead for the hallway section ... it is still going to look odd ... but the compromise should make it a tiny bit less obvious

By the end of the day we had the first lot of walls up ... the external weatherboards.

Also I finally got my shower screen for the ensuite ... it still is waiting on the proper vanity to come before it really is finished ... but it is my first "after" photo!!

Grrrr... architect!!

Yesterday the architect was supposed to come and inspect the frame to sign off on whether it is finished or not. He said he would be out at 5:30pm ... which I thought was pushing it a bit for daylight, but the days are getting longer. I hung around outside waiting for him ... notebook at the ready... by 6pm I gave up ... at 6:30 ... he drove up the drive.

I told him I thought it was ridiculous to inspect the frame in the dark and he should come back another day. Which he will do.

I'm just shocked he'd consider that he could do a good job in the dark!!!

Today I have to make the decision on the hot water system ... a couple of people coming to quote today ... the plumber is about to go on holidays and they want to know as soon as possible so that the plumbing is in before the walls go on.

Builder is feeling the time pinch ... he's asked if it would be OK to work on Saturdays!!

Better take some more photos ... the roof is due to go on any day now!

Busy bee ... quick decisions!

Last week talking to the builder I asked if there were any decisions coming up that he needed me to make (I was thinking it was a bit quiet) ... no ... plenty of time yet until the next lot of stuff he assured me, really it would be weeks away ... of course ... a couple of days later I get "I need to know exactly where to put your plumbing ... tomorrow"!

So off plumbing shopping I've gone. Lots of decisions ... that got quite tricky because I don't want mixer taps everywhere ... the world is completely orientated to mixer taps ... I highly recommend developing a liking for them if you want to renovate because it would be so much easier if I could!!

I've had to give in for one tap - which will be a twinner tap ... so still two levers for hot and cold, but only one spout section thingie (just showing off my expertise in tricky building technical terms!). After going around the shops and despairing at the differences between the budget (thank you Mr Architect) and the reality of the prices ... I decided that I would just seeeeee how much it would be for my dream taps (the ones I'd agonised over for the ensuite because they went over budget) ... just one little quote so I could squash the dream ... and ... YAY!!! They've come down in price (clever me not ordering all the taps earlier!) and now are the equivalent of the others I was looking at (still a bit over budget)!!!

I think I could invent a new reality TV show for Mr Architect ... it goes something like this .... you've been given a budget of $500 for items that usually cost $1000 ... you must find something that fits the style of the house, that doesn't look ugly, that works, comes in on budget, is deliverable to woop woop, fits into a space designed by someone who didn't think ... oh ... and you've got to find it within the next hour!

I think that would be quite entertaining for me ... would be quite fun to watch someone else scramble (especially if he was the silly one who put the silly budget together in the first place!). I'm thinking of donating my rangehood problem to him ... still no luck solving it!

Other wins were the window in the bathroom ... OK so I accused Mr Architect of stuffing that one up ... but it wasn't him :-) ... the builders had changed the window, but not centred it on the wall (had nicely centered it on an oustide wall that wont be relevant once the weatherboards are up!!). So ... they should be moving it!

Today's urgent decisions were the tiles for the laundry etc ... luckily I have a wonderful friend who doesn't mind me copying her fantastic ideas ... so I'd already thought about using her tiles ... and since I had to tell them immediately what I was going to use .... I rang up to confirm they are still available ... and could hand over the tile we'll be using within the timeframe.

Next urgent decision ... hot water systems ... to gas boost or not to gas boost ... that is the question!! Definitely going solar ... but which sort?! Off to research a bit more!

Oh ... and the builders got a lurvely box of chocolates from my chocolate dipping class ... empty box got returned with a note of thanks saying they were "swell" ... must be the irish coming out!!

I'm fuming - WRONG septic installed

Got home on Wednesday and looked out in the dark by torchlight ... hoping they'd have installed the septic during the day ... they had ... just the WRONG ONE!!!!

I'd done quite a bit of research when decided on the water treatment system I wanted, I'd asked around ... and made sure it was in the contract documents.

But ... not much help when they've dug a massive hole in the ground and installed it. Calling in the lawyers is not exactly going to help.

So who's fault is it?! well ... a little bit of a couple of people ... the builder for sending details on the wrong system (whilst all the while telling me "yes the xxx guy has been and checked it over, it isn't a problem to have the xxx system") and the architect for sending off the permit for the wrong system.

They're of course now selling me on the benefits of the other system ... but I'm just fuming at being presented with something that I've had no choice in and that they've done this behind my back ... and not the "accidental" we forgot to check the specs they're pretending.

Good things about being on site yesterday - tiler was there and we discussed the direction of the tiles (I'll get what I want) and he's going to do up a tile with some different grout colours so I can choose the one I like.

Had a meeting with builder and architect and, apart from my fuming, quite a few things were sorted - my worry with the windows not looking right seems to not be an issue and the builder is on it. There is a slight issue with the way the windows are hung - as I want them to be either opened at the top OR the bottom - not counterlevered by each other.

They poured some more concrete - just a small section of front veranda ... and some was left over so they've done a mini path for my dog enclosure ... I waited until it was nearly set and let the dogs run on it - cute little footie prints!! Not quite so cute: little puppy must have run across the front veranda when I wasn't looking - oops!!

Architect finally came up with the electrical plans ... which are all wrong!! Electrician is going to meet up with me next week and go through them all. Hopefully we'll be able to get them finalised quickly ... though I'm having a hard time looking through lighting websites - too many choices!!!

Ensuite is coming along nicely - they are saying possibly mid-next week for it to be complete.

Then they will smash the remaining part of the house down ... not that there is too much left to go, they've cleared out the inside. It is quite amusing, standing in the shower and, other than I've only got a lamp for light, it could be just like the house was before ... then I step out the door to chaos!

Ensuite going up fast!

Now I even have some external weatherboards put on!

That would be a puppy in the shower:

And a puppy going out near the toilet:

Not too much longer until they break through into the rest of the house I would think.

Was good being home yesterday (apart from the large amount of tissues I went through) ... so much easier dealing with the builder on site - with us both looking at the plans and knowing what we're both talking about. And ... we're both still having issues getting the electrical plans out of the architect. Though, the builder did let me know I've got my oven for another two weeks - apparently the others working on site would protest if it was taken out earlier ;-) - I'd better keep baking for them. Hope it will provide a little incentive for the new oven to go in faster!

Though the builder did say that they are running 2 months behind - not surprising since the permits were 2 months late due to a certain architect!!

The big water tank I want to get looks like it will fit in the space I wanted for it ... I'll put the order in over the next couple of days.

When I get home tonight I assume there will be even more weatherboards on ... plus the temporary vanity is arriving today, and I'm picking up my taps! The taps I've only seen on websites - couldn't find a place with them on display ... so I'm REALLY hoping I made the right choice!!

Long weekends can be so unpleasant!

I'm quite glad the long weekend is over ... I couldn't take more stress! The most exciting part was having smoke coming out of the hot water heater ... I think it's dead. I knew it was old (over 20 yrs) but was hoping it would last for at least one move during the building process. I'd resigned myself to thinking that there was a fair chance I'd have to buy a new one with the new extension ... but it wasn't supposed to blow up before they've even knocked the old part of the house down!

Thank goodness for lovely neighbours with nice showers ... I do have another hot water system at an outside shed, but it is complete unworkable to have a shower with (the nice neighbours really don't need to be tortured THAT much!).

The builder was over on Monday - trying to do the sell job on the portable ensuite idea. I said not unless he built me a heated walkway between the house and the portable thing ......... ummm ... perhaps I should have kept my mouth shut. He's now proposing closing off the front veranda and sticking it at the end of that ... my heated walkway! I suppose I could just cope with it .. he says it would only be for a couple of weeks ;-) .... I'm not quite that gullible!! I know a couple of weeks really means a couple of months!

The big hold up at the moment ... it that they still don't have a building permit ... they can't get a building permit until they get a septic permit, they can't get the septic permit because the architect too so long to put it in ... it could be another 3 weeks!! grumble grumble

Builder said they can't touch anything more because they've pushed the boundaries of what they can do. The garage was done on a separate permit so that's OK, the veranda they could work on because it is exsiting ... but they are at a standstill until they can get the building permit. Apparently everyone is lined up ready to go ... just waiting!

Poor mouse is wondering where the kitchen went!

So there has been a mouse in my kitchen for the last couple of weeks ... the cats have had great fun trying to get it out (they probably brought it in in the first place, entertainment when bored whilst I'm at work). After last night, mousie is going to be wondering where the kitchen went!! Totally cleared out! Nothing to find at all!! A mouse could hardly expect that the nice kitchen they've taken up residence in, would disappear in an afternoon.

(OK, so maybe a good clean out would have been just as much help as a new kitchen!! And I did take the messy photo when it was truly awful!! Just so I could remember how I sometimes lived!)

I'm a bit surprised I actually managed it ... it seemed an unending job - MORE cupboards full of stuff, and this is from a tiny kitchen. Imagine what I'll be able to keep in my new BIG kitchen!!! At least in the new kitchen things will be on display more, so no back of cupboard hiding of things. I still think I could live off my cupboards for weeks. I was quite strict in what I threw out - anything that wasn't going to be used and would be past its use-by date within a couple of months - in the bin! I probably could have been even stricter - but it was hard to throw out things that were still good. When it all goes back into the new kitchen, I'll throw them then.

Amazing to believe that next time I have a kitchen it will have a stunning stove, a huge pantry, zillions of draws and a purdy kitchen bench! It's only a couple of months away!!

I'll have to keep reminding myself of that, as I live in my spare bedroom! I think I'm going to miss the kitchen sink the most. I'm not a great washer-upper-er ... and if it is that much harder to do and I've only got the bathroom basin, that's going to be VERY unpleasant. Might have to be very slack and use plastics and throw occasionally!

Last week the architect finally got the ensuite plans complete ... here they are! Not quite sure where I'm going to find the minature towel rail on the plan!! Especially since I'll need to fit in a light switch there as well.

House is nearly cleared out

The removalists arrived yesterday morning at 9am ... and carried out all the big pieces of furniture to the garage. It only took them 20 minutes, but something I couldn't do by myself! They were even nice and didn't charge me the minimum 4 hours I was told I would have to pay, they just charged me for the time they travelled and carried.

Note to self: move furniture more often ... what was behind it was sooooo revolting!! Under the fridge was seriously disgusting ... mice had obviously lived there quite a bit (safe from the cats)!!!! The rest was just icky dust. And it became more obvious why the house is cold ... I can see outside from between the floors and the walls ... brrr!! Will be so nice once it is fixed up and less airy.

On Tuesday I went down to the Grays Home Renovator Auctions ... didn't really buy anything, but found it fascinating. I've really wanted a fancy new fridge to go in the fancy new kitchen ... but could't justify one as the ones I want are expensive (ice maker maybe?!) and my current fridge works perfectly fine. Down there .. a massive Maytag fridge went for $900 .. new price would be around $5,000! So maybe a new fridge could be closer than I thought.

I managed to nearly complete all I'd planned for packing up by dark ... the builder had come through earlier in the day and said I didn't need to be out of the kitchen until after the weekend ... so I'll leave that pleasant task until then. Though the fridge is now living in the study (my new little kitchen/living/dining/ everything combined). Bit weird to get my breakfast by cereal in the kitchen then milk from the study.

I really wanted the place nice and quiet by the time I brought the cats back from the stables ... it is traumatic enough for them without me bustling around and acting stressed. By dark the floors were semicleaned, mess was moved away (I have a car load to go to the tip - it wasn't open yesterday). Little cats came into the house ... wandered around crying ... their favourite spots in the window gone, furniture in the wrong rooms ... nothing the way it was. Amazing how well they settle once you put them in front of a heater though!!

Today is the day I want to finalise the order for the ensuite fittings ... will probably order the showerhead from somewhere else as they couldn't match the price I'd found.

Builder was also having a whinge about the delay caused by the architect ... they are waiting on the septic permit which should have been done weeks ago. He also desperately needs that ensuite window. I finally got hold of the architect in the afternoon ... took three attempts to get the window in the right place (I'm not great with my left and right ... but I'm not the one making the mistakes!). I still haven't seen the finalised plan ... there was one more move involved! The vanity is bigger than I thought ... but I think I'll be grateful for the storage space.
The laundry hasn't come off yet ... Monday is now the new smash and crash day. I hope they set up my washing machine before then ... but it looks like I should play washer-woman on the weekend and wash anything I can find, in case there is a delay until they fit it in the other shed.

House is very echoey and odd with no furniture.

Weekend update

Two posts today - because I've been so busy I haven't had a chance to update the blog!!

What a weekend! It is amazing what you can do living on a block of chocolate and a pack of jaffa cakes!! The house is nneeeaarrrllly completely packed. Just those final small things that just don't seem to belong in any particular box.
I went to finally pull down the doors on the garage late on Saturday, after moving out lots of things, only to find that the doors did NOT stay down. Good to know they lift easily, but staying down is slight important too. I knew they hadn't installed the remote systems (because there is no electricity there yet) but I had assumed that they had made the closeable. Nope!

I rang the builder and he suggested weighting down the doors .... which was a good idea in theory ... quite difficult when you've got on one to help you. That dog of mine ... I excuse the puppy because she is young, but the older one ... you'd think he should have just been able to hold the door whilst I pushed blocks into place!! After a couple of attempts I finally got it standing on a step ladder to pull the door down, then holding onto the ridges (no handles) whilst moving bricks on to the bottom with my foot.

Much as packing up is exhausting, it is full of surprises and memories. I found lots of things that made me laugh, some that made me dance around the house being silly and then there are the sad memories of people past. It all has to go in the box or the bin. I'm hoping the recycle bin truck is REALLY strong this week ... I threw out tonnes of magazines and they are so heavy!

The builder stopped by on Saturday and we went through a couple of things ... I'd been sticky beaking at the frames out on the lawn ... I've got the wall to the kitchen and so much more. Very interesting to see how it will pan out in actual size ... laying flat on the ground they all look so short, but I took my measuring tape out, and they are fine. I was trying to work out the length of my kitchen bench (it's gonna be huge!) but part of that wall was missing - after having a bit of a heart attack at thinking it was over a metre less than I thought! I also measured up the height of the kitchen window - to find that if I have my kitchen bench at 900, plus a 100 splashback for the bench, then ... the window was going to be in the wrong place. Builder was happy to change it - it is a great thing about being here as it builds, better to pick up a window a little bit off now before it is installed.

We're still having issues with placing the new septic system ... I'm still refusing to have my garden dug up! I know there is an alternative - they're just going to have to do that. As part of it going where I want, they are going to have to take off the laundry from the back of the house to run the pipes. Doesn't make that much difference to me other than that is where the cat trays are, and I really didn't want to move them until the new ensuite is up and they get access to their enclosure again.

We're STILL waiting on the architect to come up with the ensuite window - it looks like I'll be living with a boarded up window for a while , not very pleasant.
Nearly finalised the order of fittings for the ensuite - just need a MUCH cheaper heated towel rail. I chose a smaller one than they had on their website - and it turned out to be more expensive! It is in a tricky spot so I'm trying for as small as possible. Most of them also look so modern, which just doesn't work with the rest of the house. The curved ones, a little better look, are, of course, more expensive. It will be so exciting when the order is done.

Garage concrete is done

Came home to find the veranda completely off and the garage concrete done. Luckily dried enough that little doggies playing on it didn't really make marks!

Still remaining is power and water - the power might be the last to go in, which is a bit of a pain as it means no remote doors, no lights and no easy place for my washing machine.

Builder and I are both trying to chase the ensuite layout from the architect so he can finalise window etc ... that window is just going to have to be boarded up - apparently all the rest are ordered, except this one which is needed first!!

I've been given the push on making ensuite fitting decisions - the builder needs some measurements on the toilet that will go in the ensuite - now to decide on THAT toilet (I really don't want to make that decision!).

We're going to start getting in kitchen quotes - so I'll just await that heart attack ... I mean, if I know a scary scary price is coming, maybe I can work out a way to lessen the blow? eg. "well, at least it is under $50K" !!!!!

Another potential hiccup ... apparently SOMEONE forgot to put in the specs that the floor for the kitchen is going to be floorboards ... not quite sure what impact this is going to have ... but it is going to have some impact. Builder had been working on it being concrete (?!) ... and I might not know much about building, but I've got an idea that there might be a titchy price difference between concrete and floorboards!!! :-)

HUGE update!

Yesterday I was home as I wasn't feeling great - and I got to see lots happening ... luckily I wasn't so sick that I had to spend the day in bed in my PJs ... if I get that sick, I think I'm going to have to go to a friend's house, it would be very unpleasant to spend the day there with people around whilst feeling like crap!!

I'd made myself get up, showered and dressed before 7am ... which turned out to be the right thing to do ... 10 past 7 and in rolled the first lot of tradesmen! They were preparing the garage for the concrete which is arriving today! I have asked they close the doors on the garage once the concrete is down - I don't want doggie foot prints all through it when I let the dogs out tonight, even though it would be quite cute!

Later in the day the soil people came through with surveying equipment.
The builders (one of whom is called Bob - poor guy! maybe another profession would have caused less amusement?!) have begun on frames ... I checked what was written on them ... so far I have a pantry wall, a laundry wall and a toilet door way!! Interesting - I just assumed the first frames would be be for the ensuite, but they've started on the back part of the house. The builder said they'll have all the frames ready to go, and they'll just go up in a couple of days once the back is ready.

They also started removing the veranda ... big holes ... and I've now realised I didn't really get a proper before photo of them! Too late now! The rest will be gone by the time I get home tonight.

The main builder called me last night - we've got some issues with the placement of the septic tank ... they've suggested my front garden! Which WONT be happening! There will have to be another solution! I'm a crap gardener, but I don't need an ugly thing sitting right in the middle of my garden (let alone them digging up the rest of the poor thing ... it has only just survived summer!).
He also told me that I'll be able to move things into the garage over the weekend ... so that's my weekend set ... got to find boxes quickly now! He said they will probably pull out the kitchen cabinets by the end of next week ... bye bye kitchen :-( ... I will miss my cooking!! (I made yummy nutty chocolate biscuits for the builders yesterday).

We're waiting on the architect to finalise the plans for the ensuite - the builder can't order the window until these are done. I've got steam coming out my ears over the plans for the ensuite ... the architect decided to remove a component because it was "awkward" ... so he'll have to be putting it back in ... the awkward bit is there for a very good reason!! We also seem to have issues communicating about the window - I think my vanity is about at knee height at the moment - that window is just going to have to get a whole lot smaller. So this is my first grump over the building process - I'm sure there will be more to come!!

When I got home from work on Monday night I found my little dog missing from her enclosure ... I screamed for her and heard a tiny yelp ... she was INSIDE the house!! Apparently she'd got out again (from the hole created by the builders when the garage went it) and had been running around ... they'd gone into the house and they said she went in so they left her there ... noice ... you can imagine the clean up I came home to!! I'm very glad she was at least safe - and she didn't do too much damage in the house, I only lost one item of clothing to being chewed and she chose the bathroom as her toilet spot - so at least not the carpet!! The builders fixed up the hole yesterday - but I think she might just dig again.

Think I've discovered the cause of the delay

Spoke with the architect this morning about the ensuite plans ... and he let me know they're currently waiting on soil test results ... which would explain why no concrete in the garage has been laid nor any other developments!

I did discover a slight issue with plans for the rest of the house - the doors have been placed too close to the walls to account for the old style architraves I'll have (to match the exisiting ones). Which could reduce the amount of space for my kitchen bench (every mm counts!).

We've also identified something that was missing from the plans - which is a variation in the concrete for the kitchen, as it is having floor boards (but the plans are as though they were for tiles/carpet - I would have ended up with weird floor levels). Luckily this has been discovered before anything was poured!!

Apparently my energy rating has been submitted and come back (didn't even know there had to be one) ... the house got 5 1/2 stars! Yay (I assume that is a yay ... at least it didn't fail ... I really know nothing about it ... might go look it up!!).

No news is "good" news?

Nothing happening - the builder did warn that not much would happen last week ... and he was right! A couple more piles of things ... but otherwise, no changes.

Delays at this stage are easy for me (I'm not camping in the house yet!) but I do worry about how long it will all take! We've got nice weather at the moment too ... I'm quite sure the drought will break when the back of the house is taken off and I have half a roof!!!! We need the rain so I'll just have to drip and be happy!

I've been doing some ensuite planning - selecting taps etc and confirming the layout. Waiting on the architect to get back to me with new drawings. One of the most urgent decisions will be the ensuite window - as that needs to be ordered.

Icy morning

Only -3 degC this morning ... frozen everywhere!

Was wonderful seeing things in daylight yesterday ... the garage is going up. Unfortunately they did some minor damage to the corner of the dog yard - allowing an itty doggie to escape!! Luckily she didn't run away, but gave me a fright to come home to see her running around.

Met with interior designer - she was very helpful - apart from asking questions which I really have no idea about! She wasn't able to stay very long, but I hope she got an idea of what I'm looking for. I'll meet up with her again to go through some actual colours etc once she's had a think about it.

Then I met with the builder - we need to get the architect to draw up a more detailed plan of the ensuite, and there are couple of changes to the specifications (windows that aren't going to work - on plan it looks good - but I don't want my vanity at knee height!).