Category: Diary

No, not Albert or #3 – these steps are house related.

After the phone call from the agent the other day we decided to get pro-active. We looked at a rental property that afternoon, which was depressing, and then checked our deposit amount. While tiny it is enough to show we can save and it means we don’t have to borrow 100% of the amount we are after. Ideally it would be a larger amount before we had to start but we don’t live in an ideal world.

We ventured out to the land of display homes and four hours later we made it back alive. It appears all is not lost. We ran some figures with one builder and while pushing our upper limits (at a relatively generous interest rate) we could afford to purchase a block and then build on it. Sure it’s a long way from where we want to live and we would have to look at a smaller house to make sure we could absorb the interest hikes coming over the hill but at least now we know. The key for us is to get a larger deposit together; just knocking ten to fifteen grand off what we borrow would make our situation a whole lot better. It’s not that much if you say it quickly.

I was struck though about how tough salesmen have it. I don’t believe one word that comes out of their mouths, not one, and surely these days every person sees straight through the ‘free’ inclusions and super deals ‘just for you’. Poor Robert at Burbank Homes today seemed to think we were going to go buy a block when we left him and then come right back to sign on the dotted line. At least he talked to us though. The people at Devine simply glanced up from their keyboards for two seconds before going back to playing Mine Sweeper, a more disinterested pair you couldn’t wish to find. We walked through their office three times and not once did they address us or ask if we needed assistance. The guy at Metricon was a little better, he at least offered some information. The woman at Porter Davis Homes was good – she was the only one who asked if we had any questions after viewing the properties and the only one who smiled as we left.

We’ve still a lot of work and research to do before making a decision but at least we’ve started and are beginning to learn the questions that we have to ask. Poor Phee and Albert will have many a Sunday ruined by traipsing around after mum and dad before we are in a position to sign our life away.

Everybody with a computer who doesn’t live in the UK start downloading Life On Mars now.

We’ve just watched the final episode and it is superb. Fantastic television of the highest standard. Make sure you download all the episodes before you start watching ’cause I can guarantee you won’t be able to watch only one at a time.

Stop reading, go, download now.

Just had a phone call from our Agent. The owners have asked for an appraisal on the house.

“Probably just for insurance.” he says.

Yeah, right. They asked a year ago if we’d be interested in buying so it seems they have decided to cash in their investment at last. I wonder if they’ll give us first offer as they said they would.

Looks like we’re on the move again.

Wedding done, honeymoon done so after five fantastic days it’s back to real life – and now it’s married life at that.

My wife (hehehehe, that still sounds odd) has done a great little summary of the wedding day if you’re interested. I’ll get around to my own soon but it’s time to head off to my bed for the first time since last Thursday night. See you all tomorrow.

Here I am at the airport, I’ve given Rob the slip and my flight to Rio leaves in 5 minutesw…

Nah, only joking. Rob and I are about to head out for breakfast before attending to the most last minute of last minute arrangements then it’s time for me to see my lovely bride. It’s only three hours to go and I’m burtsing out of my skin to get to the cinema.

As an aside though, I wonder if it’s just coincidence that I packed my Alcatraz t-shirt to wear this morning?

Now we’re off; coffee, breakfast, bank and then the rest of my life.

It’s the day before and all, so far, is well. Just a few last minute things to take care of (where do you buy cake envelopes?) but we’re on schedule. The biggest drag is packing today for leaving Sunday morning. The nana’s will be house sitting while we are away, looking after Bert. Phee is off to her great grandmothers, just around the corner from her school, which will make life easier for everyone.

I can’t wait for tomorrow, it should be a fun day. I just have to hope now that Rae doesn’t come to her senses and hop the first flight to Rio; I know I’ll be a lot calmer when I finally hear her say the magic words.

To my bride; thankyou for saying yes a year ago. I promise to do my best to make you happy for the rest of our lives. I love you.

Someone is looking out for me.

I had just put some towels in the washing to wash when the outside gate began dragging. I went out to shut it and as I walked back in past the laundry I thought “hmmm, should check that sink the machine drains in to to make sure nothing is in it”. I’ve never done that before in this place, never. Opened the door, looked in and reached over to pull out the plug that was, for some unknown reason, firmly in place. Might just go and buy a Tatts ticket.

UPDATE

Well that will teach me for getting cocky. Below is a picture of the pile of towels and mats I had to use to mop up after the drainage hose mysteriously found its way out of the sink and behind the washing machine.

Dear City West Water,

What on earth is the point of having a web site when you don’t use it? Your web site tells me there are no outages. Your automated phone service tells me there are no outages. The complete lack of water coming from my tap tells me there is an outage.

I called for a second time, the system once again told me they were currently experiencing no outages but the wait to talk a person about the outage you have when you’re not having an outage would be a while because they were experiencing high call volume – I wonder why? After five minutes I got to talk to a real live human who told me that “oh, Spotswood, yeah – there’s a burst water main. You’ll have to wait a couple of hours for it to come back on.”

You’ve got two systems – for god’s sake use them!
Yours,

A frustratingly dry Tony.

UPDATE

On further inspection it seems to be the same trouble spot as last time.

With five days to go until the wedding what’s a boy to do? Yep, that’s right – run away. Today Bert and I hit the highway to visit Nana in Shepparton. It was a two hour drive, I handed Bert to Nana and then went to have a nap. Bert had a lovely day wrapping Nana around his finger and I had a lovely day not having to change nappies or do bottles. Now I’m home and it’s time to tackle the last minute things that will pop up, get some study done (how can I already be a week behind?) and finish some sites. No rest for the wicked or the engaged.

Oh dear. The Tigers had better win this afternoon ’cause I just found out that if they lose they play in Shepparton, my home town, next weekend and postponing our wedding is going to be very time consuming.