Hank, waiting patiently

Well we have been told it will take another 3 weeks before we present Hank to council. Not sure why but its been over a month since we signed off on the final design and landscape.

On another note, we requested pricing on having shower recesses in the two showers on the second floor as well as getting silver gloss window frames ... prices came back as the silver gloss colour being free but the two recesses came in around $900! kind of evened itself out but we really want them as they are neater and look cool... so we're thinking of cutting down on fancy tiling for the bathroom... we still havent decided on tiling for bathroom in terms of feature tiles or mosaic on the tubs but i think we can get away without too much cost as these tiles and the laying of the fancy tiles cost extra.

Hopefully with some nice accessories the bathrooms can look modern still, will have to go to display homes and see what kind of layout and design looks ok but still reasonably priced.

oh and Hank's neighbour is apparently for sale too which hopefully might mean they won't complain too much about Hank when they get notified by council. we really need to look at the fencing on that side as it is wooden and slanting towards us already but i haven't really committed myself to changing it yet... would want the neighbours to share in the cost.

First day of spring!

I see trees of green

Well our sales rep at Masterton has come back and found a landscaper for us so we have forwarded some rough sketches we had of what we wanted our gardens to look like... the cost of the plans is a bit cheaper than the original quote so that is something i suppose, oh and we were also told we won't be needing a flood report (did I already mention that?)

Hank looks so big and spacious but when we look at Nora, she seems quite small and tiny but i have read other blogs saying the same thing.

we're really just waiting now for the final drafts to be done and sent to the council.. so hopefully it should be sometime soon. I am assuming that building will not commence until late December or early next year.

Meanwhile, there needs to be some major cleanup to make space for the outlaws!

On a personal note, i start full time work next week... my boy has started childcare last week for 2 days a week and let's just say that this week has been really rough emotionally and physically for him and for me! i'm in his bad books at the moment for leaving him in the care of strangers so am feeling outcast and depressed.

the Out-laws!

Well its finally happened, the outlaws have found a buyer for their home so they will be moving in around 6 weeks time when settlement is due. While it is a blessing as we have been trying to get them to live closer for years, there will be some frustrating times ahead trying to sort through the stuff they have gathered from years of hoarding. Plus we will also have to trim our own pile of knickknacks and dust collectors to make space for them.

All I can say is I hope they like Hank and that we will need Hank to be up and ready for us all asap!

The outlaws are greenthumbs so Nora should be pleased with the attention she will be getting.
now to start planning my vegie patch and herb garden!

Lock it in ...

Well we have had another meeting with our CSR to finalise details and this will be our last chance for any variations before council submission. Thankfully, we've been told we don't need a flood report so there is one cost we won't have to wear. We're generally happy with the pre-final plans now and waiting on some quotes for getting Hank a bigger door (we have asked for the XS26?) its 1200mm and will be wood with rectangular frosted glass panels or something and we've also asked how much to upgrade to gloss silver window frames... we figure it will make Hank a little more unique and will complement his planned white plantation shutters and vertical blinds... we prefer to keep him looking neat and trim with blinds instead of curtains... still have to decide what dressing we will use for his alfresco doors...

Also, it appears their landscape designer has emigrated so they may be submitting the landscape design for us hopefully without cost! we are going to provide a draft plan of what we want which they will use as a starting point...

on another note, just came back from a weekend at the snows, Perisher and Thredbo and it was beaut weather with fresh snow falling every day! am sore but content from my two days of boarding...