Well, hello

I certainly didn't plan to be absent for so long but ended up taking a long break from all things blogging including reading them. I missed you all but was spending a huge amount of time reading, commenting and thinking about what to write and felt I could probably spend that time being more "present in the moment" as Sally keeps telling Three when he spends too much time on his phone. It wasn't just my blogging life - I also made an effort to cut down on my general internet presence (blogging and all things related being the biggest proportiion).

Over the past week I have dipped my toe in the waters and started reading some much loved and missed blogs and today I made a couple of comments. If I haven't got around to yours I will soon, I promise.

So what has been happening chez Merlot?

The build is going along really well. We were able to have a walk through today. The plaster is up on all the walls so we really get a feel for how the rooms will feel. The brickies did a fabulous job and the exterior walls look great. The waterproofing is being done and the tiles will go in soon. The kitchen should be installed in a couple of weeks.

If all continues according to plan we should have handover by the end of May. Which is nearly three months earlier than we expected. 

We met a landscaper on Wednesday and were very impressed with him. Instead of going for retaining walls (expensive and more structured than I wanted but I didn't know what other options there were) we are looking at creating a large rockery where we can plant herbs and colourful, sweet smelling plants in between the rocks. We are still waiting on the quote which will, no doubt, be a big *gulp* moment! But as I said to Himself, we don't move into a house without the walls being painted and I want the garden to be finished as well.

After some gentle nagging prodding, I finally got Himself to agree that we should start looking at furniture and fridges and stuff as you can't just waltz into a shop and say "want that one" (if you know the reference, you know!) and have it delivered. Today we ordered a fridge, a bed and bedside tables and are waiting for availability on a couple of dining tables. We are going with the local furniture shop and made sure we ordered from the kid young man who is our neighbour. He gets the commission and we got a really good price. Win win. 

I have chosen the couches and chairs I want - I just have to work out what configuration. 

I realise this sounds rather spendthrift but we aren't replacing everything and what we are will be donated.

I finally saw a doctor about my hip and his diagnosis was "a very bad arthritic hip". As in let's get some bloods done because you will probably need surgery. I have had xrays done and will see him next week for the results and a referral to an orthopaedic surgeon. 

CW is still causing issues but not just with us! She has a name for herself around town and it's not one anyone would really want.

Three and his lot were down over the past weekend which was a long one in Victoria. It was really hot but better here than in Melbourne. The kids played in the water and we took them all out on a boat for an hour. You don't need a boating licence and it was a great adventure.

This is what the boat looked like (not my photo).

Sally loved being able to drag her hand in the water

Life continues on. Some days are better than others. Some days are bloody brilliant.

I think it is safe to say the honeymoon period of moving to a new place is over but it is still the best decision we made.

Thanks to all who commented saying I was missed.

I guess I'm back!!