Category: Diary

Rae and I are in training. The room I’m looking forward to the most in our new house is the theatre room. I guess in the 80s it would have been called a rumpus room, in the 90s a retreat. Doesn’t matter what it’s called, it’s where our DVD collection and the good telly/sound system is going and it’s where you will find us most Friday nights.

To get in shape for the nights ahead we’ve been watching a few classics on. Recently there’s been The Sugarland Express, Goodfellas and last night it was Bullit. If we watch one movie a week it will take us just over 7 years to get through the collection assuming we don’t add any more. Then we go back and watch them all again with the commentaries, and then back to watch to the special features so that’s next 21 years or so of Friday nights taken care of. Talk about taking the long term view.

We had a phone call last night from our builders. Apparently there is a massive shortage of brick layers at the moment and those they do have keep on running in to problems at other sites (just how many problems can there be when it comes to laying bricks?). This means the builders are about four weeks behind so it’s on to plan B.

They are now going to reverse build the house, effectively constructing it inside out. The plasterer starts on Wednesday and with no brickies in sight we have to hope that the insulation provides enough weather protection. Of course the builders say this isn’t a problem but it still makes us nervous.

The upside is that this means lock up, and the biggest part payment, is still a while a way and that some of the post-lock up work will be completed which will save us a little. Given how lax the builders are with security though we are going to have to hope wandering gangs of youth, spray cans in hand, don’t stumble across our block.

We also had to rush through pre-wiring for out telephone and thankfully found a company who could do it in the three business days notice we were so generously given. That sh0uld be going in this morning, although if all goes to plan there will never be a phone connected and then wire will only be used for Internet access. We’ll most probably go VOIP for our home phone needs and as kids seem to be born with a mobile in their hands these days my reckoning is the land line is a thing of the past. Sort of like doing things the right way round.

It must have been the muffins…talk about a day where you achieve things – Miss Kennedy finally decides she wants to stand under her own steam! All I could hear was grizzling so I turned around. It took me a few seconds to realise that I hadn’t helped her up. We’re in so much trouble now ‘cause next step for both of them is literally the next step.

I love mornings like this, when you feel you’ve actually achieved something.

Four loads of washing done and hung out (number five won’t fit on the line!), twins having a nice long nap, playing trains with Bert, dealing with two work phone calls, a good chat with mum and best of all – making mini choc and banana muffins for the kids’ morning tea.

Excuse me as I break my unintended blog hibernation to comment on the weather. It’s bloody cold outside and it is made worse by the mild winter we’ve had up until now. Looks like the heater will be on all day today, first day that’s happened this year.

So, what else has been going on?

The twins had their one year injections today injection today. Henry didn’t peep but Moo started crying as soon as she saw the nurse heading towards her. Bert stood watching with a look of horror in his face. His four year old jabs are going to be fun now he’s seen Kennedy crying.

The house is coming along – hopefully some bricks will be in place by the end of the week which means lock up ain’t far away. They are running a couple of weeks behind now and we’re getting very anxious to get in. We’ve sorted out the carpet/flooring now which is the last major decision we have to make prior to moving in. Now winter has hit we want out of this castle of draughts more than ever.

It’s also decision time, but more of that soon ‘cause there go the twins. Is it any wonder this blog never gets updated…

I’m so proud.

One year ago today I got a tap on the shoulder at 5:20am.

Seven hours later these two arrived.

After 12 long, yet fantastic, months Henry and Kennedy are now 1 year olds.

Happy birthday kids, and thank you to my wonderful wife for the love and care she has given my beautiful children. We did it hon – we survived the first 12 months. I’m sure everything get easier from here…

Winter solstice today, this is the longest my shadow should ever be.

My little interest in taking shots of planes arriving at Melbourne Airport, or Tullamarine as we all call it, is fast becoming a full blown obsession. My wife thinks I am mad and is grumpy that there are more shots of planes on my Flickr home page than of kids, but I just can’t stop.

Best thing is that when we were out at the block last weekend there was a familiar noise and a jet appeared near by. Looks like that even moving suburbs will not be able to stop me.