Seven weeks of misery, boredom and frustration lay ahead and I’m dreading it :o(
It’s hard enough with the business and the house and everything else that accompanies it when we get 6 hours respite from the ‘I’m bored / I’m hungry / ____ has just hit me/bit me/punched me/called me a name’ No more…… that’s it. Sanity waved goodbye to until February. Packed in a little box marked ‘not to be opened before 3rd February 2008’. Shit.
Stop moaning Delaney.
OK, in other news….we have our decorations up.
Our tree at the front door - blurry I know, but I think it looks pretty!
We went to the Perth Xmas Parade last weekend which was as cheesy as ever and attempts to get us in the Christmas spirit. Adam nearly burst a blood vessel in excitement when Thomas went past and Sam took great delight in ogling the girl dancers that paraded before him.
Thomas!
They had a good time though and it has to be done now as part of the Aussie Xmas traditions. Adam was ‘high five-ing’ all the parade participants as they walked past and got VERY excited if he got one back.
Nice Antlers, Sam.
We're off to see the Parade.....
Waiting for the excitement to start.
We went into Perth early last week before the parade and Sam managed to do his Xmas shopping in half an hour! We also took the kids to see Father Christmas. He was a very nice, cheery Santa who spent a good ten minutes with us; talking to the kids and trying to persuade Adam to have his photo taken. Adam wasn’t having any of it’ even with Paul and I roped into the picture, he was a grumpy little sod. The only thing that got his interest was a fake Rudolph lying by the fire that looked like it was breathing. We tried though (we’re very trying….. I think Santa would agree!) I didn’t buy the photo on disc and our scanner isn’t set up, so being very sad and tight, I’ve taken a photo of the photo!
Cheapskate :o)
Sam and Darcie had their Christmas Assembly which went very well. Darcie’s year sang the Wiggles classic ‘Rockin’ Santa’ and Sam’s year sang ‘C’mon it’s an Aussie Christmas’. Both very ‘Australian’ and funny. The raffle was drawn during the Assembly, but we didn’t win anything this year.
Our little Christmas performer.
We’ve just got new phones too. Paul and I have now got a Blackberry each. You can pick up email and sh*t loads more whilst on the move. Hopefully this will mean we’re not tied to the office as much in the school holidays and also have the added benefit of reducing Paul’s mobile bill ($425 last month!!!!). We just need a blooming evening class to work out how to use the stupid things! Good grief, they’re complicated. I did manage to receive two emails though whilst I was at the pool picking Sam up from a party. Necessary? Not at all :o) Very techie though.
OK. I’ve tried to avoid it….. but here it is. House news.
After another row with the builder this Wednesday as sod all had happened; they pulled out all the stops to shut us up at the end of the week. On Thursday, two painters were in (from Canvey Island!). They reckoned it was a 4 day job, but they wouldn’t be back tomorrow as they were booked on another job :o( They managed to get the ceilings and coving done though (first coat) and they are returning next week to do a second coat and all the doors and frames - rather them than me!
White ceilings with holes in.
On Friday the electrician came to second fix the electrics, so we now have holes in the ceilings where the down lights will be and they wires have all been pulled though and the plaster chipped away in preparation for the sockets to go on.
Let there be lights :o) They have removed the electric meter to re-site the meter box that was too far inset in the wall (and they were unable to get the gas pipe in!). Which means though that there’s been no power on site for a few days and whilst the painters usually spray the first coat of paint on; the lack of power meant they had to brush and roller.
The balaustrading was delivered on Monday, but it was obviously too much to hope for for someone to actually turn up and fit it!
The tiler has been back to finish the grouting.
The railings for the balcony.
.... and the ones to go up the stairs.
Actually, looking at all that, it’s been a bumper week of activity in the house! Why was I crying my eyes out there on Wednesday then? Sick of the sight of the blooming place and sick to the back teeth of all the lies that the builders keep feeding us with?
Yum..... doesn't the pool look inviting? NOT!!
The weathers pants this weekend, so no trips on the boat. I’m hoping that we’ll be able to sneak a few hours out this week. I’ve got to finish my Xmas shopping for one thing! It would be nice to take the boat round the canals to see all the Christmas lights too.
The Mandurah – Perth train line is supposed to start running on 23rd December after taking three years to complete and going millions of dollars over budget; so that’s quite exciting! We did apply to be on the first train, but lost out in the raffle for that too. It’s not been our lucky week really, all things considered. Lots of rows with the kids and a distinct lack of Christmas spirit. Never mind…….. where’s that gin?
