One of the things about renovating on a budget is deciding if, and when to splash out on something. Every time we pay more for something, we choose to pay less for something else, or prolong a project. So splashing out needs to be worthwhile. We have a set budget on this place, and it's small and won't be extended if we run out of money. I don't believe in the saying "bigger is better" especially when it comes to the family home. It simply doesn't bring me joy!
We got some good rain the other day too.
More recycled brick edging from the piles of old bricks around has been laid. Free is good!
We also welcomed a new member into our family on the weekend. Meet Sooty!
She was a give away kitten from a house seemed to be breading kittens.....and fleas.....But after a bath and a flea treatment she is looking, and smelling far better.
One of the biggest struggles for us since moving here is the garden. The block is great, the fruit trees are amazing but it was dusty, hot, and no where really for the kids to play. I noticed it immediately as my usually outside boys suddenly wanted to spend lots of time inside. Which is not great for them, or my sanity - lets be real! So we have bumped the garden up the list of priorities.
William is still working on his cuttings project.
We have tried with other houses to plant lawn by seed, but with two big dogs, kids and an outdoor family is has proved to be a failure, even when sectioning off areas. We crunched some figures and did some research on suppliers and we splashed out to buy roll out lawn, I love this product. We choose Sir Walter. Its a buffalo so it's thick and fleshy. Its tough for high traffic areas, and it is a water wise option. We have planted a couple of varieties in the past but Sir Walter is a winner for us. Also it spreads well, so from this point on we will just cut squares and transplant them in the orchid where the chooks are and in the front yard eventually.
Grants moved the clothes line - 4 hours it took him to smash up the cement around the bottom. 4 hours of sweat dripping, jack hammering work. We could not believe it. It was the toughest cement we have ever seen. Filled with rocks and gravel. You'd think they were building the foundations for a sky scraper not a simple clothes line! If we were not such tight wads we would have cut it with an angle grinder and got a new line - the thought crossed our minds by about the third hour! But they don't make Hills hoists like they used too and eventually he won. The seal of the wallet is strong in this one!
I now have a sitting area with a lovely shade sail to make it comfortable. Gosh this space makes all the difference in the world to our home! I cannot describe how healing it is to now overlook green lawn. Suddenly we are all outside! The dogs are lazing on the cool lawn, the kids playing out there, the dust is suddenly far less. The horror of the pinery bush fires seems just a little further away....
We have tried with other houses to plant lawn by seed, but with two big dogs, kids and an outdoor family is has proved to be a failure, even when sectioning off areas. We crunched some figures and did some research on suppliers and we splashed out to buy roll out lawn, I love this product. We choose Sir Walter. Its a buffalo so it's thick and fleshy. Its tough for high traffic areas, and it is a water wise option. We have planted a couple of varieties in the past but Sir Walter is a winner for us. Also it spreads well, so from this point on we will just cut squares and transplant them in the orchid where the chooks are and in the front yard eventually.
Grants moved the clothes line - 4 hours it took him to smash up the cement around the bottom. 4 hours of sweat dripping, jack hammering work. We could not believe it. It was the toughest cement we have ever seen. Filled with rocks and gravel. You'd think they were building the foundations for a sky scraper not a simple clothes line! If we were not such tight wads we would have cut it with an angle grinder and got a new line - the thought crossed our minds by about the third hour! But they don't make Hills hoists like they used too and eventually he won. The seal of the wallet is strong in this one!
The washing line is near the laundry still but tucked around the corner a bit out of plain sight which is nice.
I now have a sitting area with a lovely shade sail to make it comfortable. Gosh this space makes all the difference in the world to our home! I cannot describe how healing it is to now overlook green lawn. Suddenly we are all outside! The dogs are lazing on the cool lawn, the kids playing out there, the dust is suddenly far less. The horror of the pinery bush fires seems just a little further away....
We also welcomed a new member into our family on the weekend. Meet Sooty!
She was a give away kitten from a house seemed to be breading kittens.....and fleas.....But after a bath and a flea treatment she is looking, and smelling far better.
We were asked by bewildered family members "Why do we need another cat?" And the answer is because of love. I want my boys to grow up looking after animals that rely on them, to grow up loving lots of animals, to know we look after those smaller and weaker then us. The joy we get from having pats far outweighs the cost for us. (Besides we do have an awesome old school, cheap country vet who is in it for the love, not they money.) We are homebodies, they are not a burden to us, but a joy. Besides Max is such a social cat. It makes me sad when we are not home he has no one. Now he has a little friend. Not that he is thrilled about that at this moment in time, but he will come around. I do like the idea of having pairs of things, everyone needs a friend. The cats keep the mice down also. Which can be attracted by the chooks, and keeping mice away will help keep snakes away also. It all works. I also may be just a little soft and making excuses. ;)
But I think this big old world needs a little softness, so I'm quite OK with that.
Well I best be off as it is dinner time here soon and a stir fry is on the menu and I need to get started on it. Simple. quick, healthy.
Much love,
Emma
xx
But I think this big old world needs a little softness, so I'm quite OK with that.
Well I best be off as it is dinner time here soon and a stir fry is on the menu and I need to get started on it. Simple. quick, healthy.
Much love,
Emma
xx
