The Trouble with Water

Bang! Gurgle!

"Oh, that didn't sound good. Hmmff, wonder what made that noise. Well the washing machine is still going so it can't be that bad."

"Aaagghhh!!!!! Water! Everywhere!"

"Quick! Turn off the taps! Turn off the machine! Turn off everything!"

"Buckets! Rags! Children! Help!"

We mopped up 5 buckets of water all because the drainage pipe popped out of its sink hole.

What a way to end a busy day.

Filling up the rooms

John was required to be at work this morning before 7am. Wasn't too happy about not having Saturday free, but it turned out he was home by 8am. So he took the opportunity, over a large plate of crumpets and honey, to cruise the classifieds for lounge suites. We did look at new, but decided on 'pre-loved'.
We chose 2 suites; one deep green woollen plaid and the other a navy cotton.
Now we have seats for nine of us in the family room.
We thought the single chairs should take pride of place in the front lounge for 'grandma' and 'grandpa'. All we need now is a reading lamp and footstools!

Orb Spiders

We needed to go out in the van today. The side door was opened, children piled in, and I walked around the back of the car to get in the driver's seat. It was then that I saw the massively huge orb spider suspended on its massively huge web between the hedge and my door. It was about a metre away, so I slid into my seat, put the window up, and began backing out the drive.

Do you realise how far orb spider webs can stretch?? A long way, let me tell you. Then, we could see the anchors pinging off their moorings one by one. But not from the car - from the hedge. Suddenly, snap! The whole web, spider and all, flung up on my window!

Jack jumps up like a true hero, grabs a twig and sweeps the dangling spider off the car and into the garden.

Ugh, shudder.

Remember the dress Beth started?...

Back 12 months ago, Beth started her first major sewing project - a dress. She laboured on it for some time, having to redo many seams, and I think it may have been a bit too much of a job for her and her sewing skills. When we went to the farm, the dress was forgotten and put aside in the big black chest.

Well, while John was away for the last month, I managed to salvage the project and it is now hanging in Matilda's wardrobe. The last 12 months has seen Bethany grow so much, that there was no chance of it fitting her. It's too big for Tildy, but she'll have a nice dress in 12-18 months.

Also purchased a bolt of unbleached homespun a couple of weeks ago. Lillith and Matilda both chose dyes and I have managed to dye and sew a new dress for Matilda. I managed to patchwork enough of the scraps to sew a matching sun hat, which I've cut out but I'm yet to sew. Lilly's dress (and I presume hat) is next, but I'm wondering if there is enough time before the baby arrives.

In my sitting time I've managed to knit a light winter cardigan for Willem, and am about to assemble another cardigan for Matilda.

Some years back, I purchased three lots of heritage material. Two have been sewn, but one remains. Beth has her eyes on that lot. And considering her growth spurt, I really need to adapt a pattern for her and get a dress sewn.

Mmmm, anyone know how to double the hours in a day?

Shopping

Being shopping day and there being very little in the fridge and pantry, we all headed to the supermarket after dropping Elsie off at work. It wasn't too bad today, we only filled two trolleys...

Emily received a gift voucher for her birthday and was to use it to purchase a bedside lamp. Today was the first opportunity we had to go to the department store and so (against what every bone and muscle in my body was telling me) we headed for the shopping centre. She chose the prettiest lamp with glass panels and gold trim.

The rest of the day was filled with lessons and craft, and finished off with a swim by the older children. A little chilly for a swim, I thought, but the children assured me that it was a really hot day. Willem watched them swim while he made a 'horsey soup' in the empty terracotta pot. Unfortunately, that included ingredients from the other terracotta pots that have now been defoliated. Ooops. Oh well, leaves grow back.

There's a six month gap...

Our last blog (Wallaby Scrub) followed the history and events of our family from our move to the farm while John was overseas and our return to the city when he arrived back in Aus. My posting dwindled as city living took over and it may be a little hard to understand the chronology.


The brand new house mentioned in that blog was on the outskirts of the city and we stayed there only 6-7 months. That's when John decided to go part time and we'd give the farm life a serious go.


I didn't blog while down there the second time. The family kept encouraging me to, but being pregnant and busy with the farm, I pushed the responsibility aside.


By November 2007 we had decided that opportunities in the city outweighed (at this point in time) those in the bush. A very hard decision. That is why we find ourselves back in the city - not only in the city but in the very heart of it. We are 2 minutes from the CBD. Rather different from the life we were leading only 3 months ago.


So, if you find yourself looking at our original blog - Wallaby Scrub - perhaps you will understand when and how that adventure came about.

Wallaby Scrub as we left it; in all it rustic, primitive charm.

Townies Again

Our time at the farm came to an end all too quickly. After a hurried uplift and removal, including a lot of rain and mud, an awkward temporary accommodation situation which ended with us bunking at mum's, and difficulties in finding a house big enough (phew), finally we are in our new home.

With John back in regular service, Elsie wanting to attend tertiary education and me suffering so badly from an environmental eczema, we had no choice but to pack up and head for town.

Finding a house proved very difficult. But, after many weeks of searching, we got approval on a renovated old Queenslander; 6 bedrooms plus a study, rumpus area downstairs, timber floors throughout, a pool plus a massive backyard. Upon arriving we all felt like we had come home.

The house is very close to John's work, walking/riding distance to Elsie's TAFE campus and my skin is now smooth and clear. Everything has fallen into place and seems to be working out.

Within three to four weeks our lives will be turned topsy turvy again when we expect and hope for the safe arrival of our new little bundle of joy. I'm hoping John will be home for the birth, and that my dear friend Diana makes it in time.

Really, life in this house is full of new things.

Here's my baby. Our little Billy. This is his new birthday outfit. He misses the farm terribly, and often asks when we will return. One day... one day...