How do you know when you've truly become an acreage resident? When you have the snake man under speed dial in your mobile phone.
Yes, the tranquillity and relaxed atmosphere here at the new EDM home in the hills behind Noosa was rudely interrupted a few nights ago by a sudden sliding noise coming from the roof at 1am. The wife woke first and asked me what it was. Being half-comatose, I replied it must be the wind pushing some tree branches across the roof.
That seemed to resolve the issue (for me anyway) but a mere five minutes later it started again so I stood up and took a look out the window. No trees were moving in the wind so I thought I'd open it to see if I could hear something. Nope. Not a skerrick of sound out there so no wind to speak of.
Still being a half-comatose, I then took a few seconds to do the calculations in my head. As my synapses were trying to fire up, the wife blurted out "It's in the roof. It must be a snake". That certainly woke me in a hurry and it was a mad dash to the switch to put the light on.
A quick scan of the roof revealed it was all intact and there were no visible signs of an entry/exit point. I then looked down at the wife and we both exchanged faces of fear and confusion as we pondered what to do next. I think we were caught in a state of paralysis through hesitation though as it seemed like whole minutes passed before we heard the sliding noise again.
No hesitation this time though as we both quickly scrambled out of the room and along the hall to check on the son. You may wonder why we did this. Well, just a few days before, the antennae guy who came and fixed the TV aerial mentioned that he'd just come from Eumundi where a snake had dropped suddenly from a shop ceiling and caused all sorts of mayhem amongst shoppers and staff.
With that image fresh in our minds, we raced down the hall in fear of the source of the sliding noise dropping suddenly on us or worse, into the son's cot as he slept. Therefore, there was absolutely no chance whatsoever that we were going back into our room and trying to sleep again.
Knowing the son was OK, we then moved into the lounge room and continued our game of staring ahead and mumbling incoherent questions to each other that the other could not hope to answer.
Eventually, we determined it was too late to ring anyone after checking the internet for local snake guys and too late to try and decamp to a motel or something. We had to stay put. We had to try and get some sleep somewhere in the house.
Thinking ahead, I then grabbed all our phones, wallets, car keys, etc and put them in a bag at the front door just in case we had to do a mad dash out of there. Don't worry, I'm sure I would have tried to get the son out as well.
No actual decision was made as to where we would sleep but we found ourselves curling up in the loungeroom. The wife on the couch and me on a camping mattress just below. No words were spoken even though it took both of us a very long time to finally fall asleep. Unfortunately the loungeroom has massive sliding doors opening up to the east so it was wake up time as soon as the son rose. Well-rested and alert we were not.
Later on, about 8am, I decided to put on my boots and venture outside to check the exterior walls and roof around our bedroom. And low and behold, there's a snake sitting on the corner of the roof sunning itself. A quick call to the wife and within seconds she was on the phone to the local snake man.
She put me on and after describing the night's events and the snake on the roof, the snake man, in all his wisdom, said the snake on the roof was merely a tree snake and that yes, we probably have a carpet python in the roof. Just a mere coincidence that the morning after hearing a snake in the roof, I saw another snake actually on the roof.
The snake man then continued to say that being spring and starting to heat up, snakes in general would be re-emerging from their winter rest and would be getting active once again. He also said that carpet python's are harmless and that every second house between here and the coast would have one in their roof as well. End result, he didn't think it was worth him coming out and we should just get used to it.
He was a nice bloke who was happy to answer my inane questions, particularly as I had quite a few. He also assured me that it wouldn't come into the house itself and laughed when I asked about it falling through the roof. "You've seen too many movies son" he replied.
So there you have it. We just have to get used to the idea of a snake in the roof. Guess it's par for the course when you want to live in a rural setting for its' quiet and relaxed life. Being around nature with the trees and the birds and the roos is good, but you've got to take on all aspects of nature as well. Not just the cute and cuddly ones. So yep, we city slickers have to get used to it.
Doesn't stop me double-checking the manhole to the roof every morning though and peaking my ears out for that sliding noise again as I lie down to sleep. We did think we heard it in the wall one time actually so I'm even telling myself that it must have been making it's way out of the roof/wall and is outside now trawling the 11 acres we are on.
Yes, that must be it. It's gone now and I shouldn't worry or give it another thought. Snakes alive they say, but not in our roof.
Shite, what's that noise? Maybe it's just the wind pushing branches across the roof? It could be couldn't it?
EDM.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Daddy Day Care
I wrote this last Thursday but forgot to hit the ‘post’ button. Got distracted by a certain little man. Quite apt for what the post is all about.
===============
It's down to the nitty-gritty. Down to the day-to-day stuff. Down to Daddy Day Care.
Yes, the taking of long service leave and doing the move north set in motion images of a chilled out and relaxed time full of beaches, beers and books.
But that was never reality. For the deal also meant having to look after the son full-time as the wife undertook some part-time employment duties to supplement our meagre income.
And today was the day it all came crashing back to earth. Crashing is a bit harsh I guess. But you know what I mean.
And definitely more so for the wife than me as she started a new job not even a week after we permanently arrived up here on the Sunshine Coast. Yep, it surely was a dose of reality for her after 5-6 great days that felt more like a holiday than current living arrangements.
So off to work she went this morning for her first day leaving the son and I staring at each other wondering what we were going to do. The son’s first preference was for the little local pool we’ve discovered at Eumundi so that sounded as good an option as any.
I rounded up all the necessities for a pool trip and bundled the son into the car quickly and efficiently. Once I turned the key, I did do a look back at him in his car seat and thought the outfit would probably cause some derision from the wife. “Oh well, she’s not here is she” I said to him and off we went.
The session in the pool was a masterstroke (top work son) as we swam, jumped, kicked and ‘bubbled’ for ages, broken by the occasional trip to the play equipment and a treat at the kiosk. The wrinkles were starting to set in though so I decided it was time to call time and off to the changerooms we went.
The son sat peacefully on the bench (a bit out of character) while I quickly changed before I laid him down to take off his swimmer nappy and put on a proper one. "Ok, now where did I put that nappy?" Rummaging through my bag came to nothing so it was Mistake No. 1 for my time as Daddy Day Care. “All right son, maybe we’ll just put your swimmer nappy back on then”.
Thing was, I’d promised him a quick session at the park after the swim to kill a bit more time. So now it was going to be a game of Russian Roulette as I keenly watched every one of his movements for any sign of him doing a ‘yuck’. The swimmer nappies are not built for that sort of thing so it could be ‘poonami’ central if that’s how it was going to go down.
Alas, my concerns were not realised and the son played happily amongst all the other kids. I did stand out a bit though being surrounded by at least two mothers groups using the park as well and 3-4 others. I was definitely ‘eyed off’ at first until it was realised I had a child at the park myself. I know I look dodgy at the best of times but quite sad really. A future blog post in that for sure.
Anyway, it was then back to the house for some lunch and the son’s day sleep. The son didn’t baulk at my vegemite sandwiches but I did think I’ll need to expand my repertoire before he gets tired of them. Pretty sure there’s some kids menu books around here somewhere.
It was no rest for the wicked though as the son slept as it was actions stations on the cleaning/tidying front. There was no way I could allow the wife any reason for a comment when she got home so a busy daddy I was.
The afternoon then continued with a trip into Noosa itself for a walk and some more park time. The son took along his lawnmower and was happy ‘mowing’ Noosa Wood and the streets around Witta Circle for an hour or so except for the occasional kick-of-a-ball and going-down-the-slide. He didn’t have a safety vest on but he did do a grand job. Much better than most council workers anyway.
Day One of Daddy Day Care then came to an end when we picked the wife up on our way home and headed to the shops for some groceries. Coaxing the son back into the car for the trip was tough but my Jedi mind tricks worked a treat so another victory was mine.
All up, a pretty good day but with some lessons learnt as well. Organisation will be the key that's for sure and a keen imagination in thinking up more and more things for the son and I to do. Suggestions in that regard will therefore be greatly appreciated.
On that note folks, EDM and Son will sign off. Til next time then,
EDM.
===============
It's down to the nitty-gritty. Down to the day-to-day stuff. Down to Daddy Day Care.
Yes, the taking of long service leave and doing the move north set in motion images of a chilled out and relaxed time full of beaches, beers and books.
But that was never reality. For the deal also meant having to look after the son full-time as the wife undertook some part-time employment duties to supplement our meagre income.
And today was the day it all came crashing back to earth. Crashing is a bit harsh I guess. But you know what I mean.
And definitely more so for the wife than me as she started a new job not even a week after we permanently arrived up here on the Sunshine Coast. Yep, it surely was a dose of reality for her after 5-6 great days that felt more like a holiday than current living arrangements.
So off to work she went this morning for her first day leaving the son and I staring at each other wondering what we were going to do. The son’s first preference was for the little local pool we’ve discovered at Eumundi so that sounded as good an option as any.
I rounded up all the necessities for a pool trip and bundled the son into the car quickly and efficiently. Once I turned the key, I did do a look back at him in his car seat and thought the outfit would probably cause some derision from the wife. “Oh well, she’s not here is she” I said to him and off we went.
The session in the pool was a masterstroke (top work son) as we swam, jumped, kicked and ‘bubbled’ for ages, broken by the occasional trip to the play equipment and a treat at the kiosk. The wrinkles were starting to set in though so I decided it was time to call time and off to the changerooms we went.
The son sat peacefully on the bench (a bit out of character) while I quickly changed before I laid him down to take off his swimmer nappy and put on a proper one. "Ok, now where did I put that nappy?" Rummaging through my bag came to nothing so it was Mistake No. 1 for my time as Daddy Day Care. “All right son, maybe we’ll just put your swimmer nappy back on then”.
Thing was, I’d promised him a quick session at the park after the swim to kill a bit more time. So now it was going to be a game of Russian Roulette as I keenly watched every one of his movements for any sign of him doing a ‘yuck’. The swimmer nappies are not built for that sort of thing so it could be ‘poonami’ central if that’s how it was going to go down.
Alas, my concerns were not realised and the son played happily amongst all the other kids. I did stand out a bit though being surrounded by at least two mothers groups using the park as well and 3-4 others. I was definitely ‘eyed off’ at first until it was realised I had a child at the park myself. I know I look dodgy at the best of times but quite sad really. A future blog post in that for sure.
Anyway, it was then back to the house for some lunch and the son’s day sleep. The son didn’t baulk at my vegemite sandwiches but I did think I’ll need to expand my repertoire before he gets tired of them. Pretty sure there’s some kids menu books around here somewhere.
It was no rest for the wicked though as the son slept as it was actions stations on the cleaning/tidying front. There was no way I could allow the wife any reason for a comment when she got home so a busy daddy I was.
The afternoon then continued with a trip into Noosa itself for a walk and some more park time. The son took along his lawnmower and was happy ‘mowing’ Noosa Wood and the streets around Witta Circle for an hour or so except for the occasional kick-of-a-ball and going-down-the-slide. He didn’t have a safety vest on but he did do a grand job. Much better than most council workers anyway.
Day One of Daddy Day Care then came to an end when we picked the wife up on our way home and headed to the shops for some groceries. Coaxing the son back into the car for the trip was tough but my Jedi mind tricks worked a treat so another victory was mine.
All up, a pretty good day but with some lessons learnt as well. Organisation will be the key that's for sure and a keen imagination in thinking up more and more things for the son and I to do. Suggestions in that regard will therefore be greatly appreciated.
On that note folks, EDM and Son will sign off. Til next time then,
EDM.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Status Update - Part III
Well, we made it. Currently enjoying our first full day up the coast and looking mighty forward to settling in over the next week or so.
It's been a big week in the leadup to this with the move and all but definitely feels like its been worth it already. Wednesday was moving day and of course I ended up shattered at the end after having to do a lot of it myself with some rather unfit and somewhat lazy removalists. Not sure how, but we always seem to find these guys.
We had to return to Bris later that day though as the old house was still to be sorted. Coordinating carpet cleaners and getting keys/instructions to agents then ensued before driving up for good yesterday.
It was the little man's first visit so we were enthralled as he wandered the 'grounds' taking it all in. He didn't stop all afternoon as the discovery period keeps on and has included taking a peek at every corner and cupboard of the new house while he does his rounds.
Minor hiccup though. Well, a rather large hiccup if you ask me with all the footy on this weekend. But there's an issue with the TV antenna and the agent can't get anyone out here until Monday to fix it.
We're a little isolated from the news of the world therefore but got through last night and this morning with the PVR and the assortment of taped programs we have on it. Was certainly a godsend last night to discover we could access some Postman Pat and Bob the Builder for the son. Nuclear armagedden averted.
Woke early this morning to the rising sun over the hills before heading down to Noosaville and a bike ride / play by the river. A big shop followed that after which the son fell asleep on the way back so enjoying some downtime (or blogtime) at the moment while he slumbers.
So there you have it. The Big Move has been completed and now it's time to settle into our Sea/Tree Change. Normal 'Nah Seriously' service will reconvene shortly so that will be the end of the Status Update series.
Til next time my loyal readers,
EDM.
It's been a big week in the leadup to this with the move and all but definitely feels like its been worth it already. Wednesday was moving day and of course I ended up shattered at the end after having to do a lot of it myself with some rather unfit and somewhat lazy removalists. Not sure how, but we always seem to find these guys.
We had to return to Bris later that day though as the old house was still to be sorted. Coordinating carpet cleaners and getting keys/instructions to agents then ensued before driving up for good yesterday.
It was the little man's first visit so we were enthralled as he wandered the 'grounds' taking it all in. He didn't stop all afternoon as the discovery period keeps on and has included taking a peek at every corner and cupboard of the new house while he does his rounds.
Minor hiccup though. Well, a rather large hiccup if you ask me with all the footy on this weekend. But there's an issue with the TV antenna and the agent can't get anyone out here until Monday to fix it.
We're a little isolated from the news of the world therefore but got through last night and this morning with the PVR and the assortment of taped programs we have on it. Was certainly a godsend last night to discover we could access some Postman Pat and Bob the Builder for the son. Nuclear armagedden averted.
Woke early this morning to the rising sun over the hills before heading down to Noosaville and a bike ride / play by the river. A big shop followed that after which the son fell asleep on the way back so enjoying some downtime (or blogtime) at the moment while he slumbers.
So there you have it. The Big Move has been completed and now it's time to settle into our Sea/Tree Change. Normal 'Nah Seriously' service will reconvene shortly so that will be the end of the Status Update series.
Til next time my loyal readers,
EDM.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Status Update - Part II
You know that tenant I was talking about in my last post? Well, they ended up reneging.
Thinking we'd sorted out a tenant, the wife and I were up the coast looking at potential abodes last Wednesday when we got the call saying they'd pulled out. I can't print what was said at the time. This is a family program.
Alas, it has all sorted itself out in the end, and for the better. For the second application we'd received actually offered an extra $50 a week in rent to secure the house only an hour after that fateful call from the agent. And they still want to move in this Saturday.
So yes, the pressure was still on when we were up the coast last Wednesday to find something for ourselves and it was certainly a day of ups and downs and hills and valleys. On top of the tenant scenairo, we also really liked two properties up the coast which offered very different experiences.
One option was a duplex only a few minutes to the beach but surrounded by other duplexes, houses and unit blocks. The other was a large house on acreage but still only 10-15 mins to the beach and other amenities.
As well as checking both out with their respective agents, we also returned to both and evaluated them without any outside influence. The end result was that we've gone with the acreage option. But not without a few hours of confusion, angst, indecision and uncertainty.
Living walking-distance to the beach would have been great, but the whole point of doing this is to have a change in lifestyle and really spend some quality time as a family. And a mere move to another suburbia, just up the coast, would not have cut it for us so its the quiet, relaxed option that still gives us quick and easy access to the beach and co that we've gone with.
So that was Wednesday. And today is Monday. So the ensuing days have been chocka-bloc with getting organised and packing up the house. While a bit more time would have been perfect, the mad rush to get everything sorted has probably been a good thing as we've just got stuck in and enjoyed some culling of some of the materials we've acquired over the years.
The packing has been all the more interesting with a two year-old. Pack a box and walk away before coming back 5 mins later to an empty box. Whattha? The son is incredibly keen to help though and has been getting stuck in as well, although he was quite taken back to wake from a day sleep to find most of his toys packed up.
So that's the latest for EDM and family and their temporary sea/tree change. Finalise packing tomorrow before moving on Wednesday. Back on Thursday for some other duties and the cleaning, and by Friday afternoon we'll be up there for good.
Happy days are ahead then and can't quite believe we've actually followed through on something we've been talking about for a long time. If anyone's got any similar thoughts, my advice is to just do it. It's bloody hard taking the first step and committing to the journey, but I've got no doubt it'll all be worth it for us so I'm sure it would be for you too.
Enough of the motivation speech though. I'm sure no-one needs any life coaching from me. But the next time I post, I'll be living on the Sunny Coast and hopefully very relaxed and comfortable with our decision.
Til then my friends,
EDM.
Thinking we'd sorted out a tenant, the wife and I were up the coast looking at potential abodes last Wednesday when we got the call saying they'd pulled out. I can't print what was said at the time. This is a family program.
Alas, it has all sorted itself out in the end, and for the better. For the second application we'd received actually offered an extra $50 a week in rent to secure the house only an hour after that fateful call from the agent. And they still want to move in this Saturday.
So yes, the pressure was still on when we were up the coast last Wednesday to find something for ourselves and it was certainly a day of ups and downs and hills and valleys. On top of the tenant scenairo, we also really liked two properties up the coast which offered very different experiences.
One option was a duplex only a few minutes to the beach but surrounded by other duplexes, houses and unit blocks. The other was a large house on acreage but still only 10-15 mins to the beach and other amenities.
As well as checking both out with their respective agents, we also returned to both and evaluated them without any outside influence. The end result was that we've gone with the acreage option. But not without a few hours of confusion, angst, indecision and uncertainty.
Living walking-distance to the beach would have been great, but the whole point of doing this is to have a change in lifestyle and really spend some quality time as a family. And a mere move to another suburbia, just up the coast, would not have cut it for us so its the quiet, relaxed option that still gives us quick and easy access to the beach and co that we've gone with.
So that was Wednesday. And today is Monday. So the ensuing days have been chocka-bloc with getting organised and packing up the house. While a bit more time would have been perfect, the mad rush to get everything sorted has probably been a good thing as we've just got stuck in and enjoyed some culling of some of the materials we've acquired over the years.
The packing has been all the more interesting with a two year-old. Pack a box and walk away before coming back 5 mins later to an empty box. Whattha? The son is incredibly keen to help though and has been getting stuck in as well, although he was quite taken back to wake from a day sleep to find most of his toys packed up.
So that's the latest for EDM and family and their temporary sea/tree change. Finalise packing tomorrow before moving on Wednesday. Back on Thursday for some other duties and the cleaning, and by Friday afternoon we'll be up there for good.
Happy days are ahead then and can't quite believe we've actually followed through on something we've been talking about for a long time. If anyone's got any similar thoughts, my advice is to just do it. It's bloody hard taking the first step and committing to the journey, but I've got no doubt it'll all be worth it for us so I'm sure it would be for you too.
Enough of the motivation speech though. I'm sure no-one needs any life coaching from me. But the next time I post, I'll be living on the Sunny Coast and hopefully very relaxed and comfortable with our decision.
Til then my friends,
EDM.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Status Update
Finally! It's only taken five weeks but we now have a tenant for the house. Not helped at all by the laziest real estate agent in Brisbane, but hey, we're finally going places. Quite literally.
So the current status update is both the wife and I have finished work and we've basically been sitting in a holding pattern waiting for the house to rent out. It's been extremely frustrating as we've got this great plan for moving up the coast over summer but the first step in that, renting the house out, was proving to be quite a hurdle.
Our original agent was not that at all. Over the first few weeks we had a few inspections booked but then no-one would turn up. He kept saying we'll need to lower the price which we did assuming his knowledge and expertise was the best advice.
We also had a couple of other issues with him such as his advice to not have an open house and the fact I had to suggest a sign out front and other marketing methods. So when another inspection didn't occur, I had a go at him about the lack of personal service and he seemed genuinely suprised that we weren't happy. What planet must this guy live on?
Alas, upon having a mix-up with the key for an upcoming inspection, we had cause to call him and found his mobile was set to a voice recording saying to log-on to their website and fill out a form and someone would ring you back. We were flabbergasted that this was the process in place for people to make contact, ask a question, book an inspection, etc. Surely some people upon getting that message were hanging up and saying that's all too hard.
The sacking was swift therefore and another agent was able to meet us later that day and get the house up on the internet that night. She also agreed to conduct an open house on the Saturday, in two days time, even though it was her allocated day off. Now that is proper service. It was a shock to us after the crap we'd endured from the other agent.
The open house was a success with a number of groups through that went away with applications. Come Monday, yesterday, two had submitted their applications and we've selected one with it to be all finalised later today. So after getting only one group through in four weeks with one agent, we now had the house rented out after only four days with another.
You live and learn don't you? Just spewing we put the price down as much as we did based on the first agent's advice. Oh well, the mortgage is still covered and we can start moving forward once again.
So the next step? Well, we're off up the coast tomorrow to try and find a house up there. Looks like we'll be moving the weekend after next so time is of the essence and its action stations all round. A massive relief though to get through the first step and our 'seachange' dream remains alive.
Here's to beers on the beach within a fortnight!
EDM.
So the current status update is both the wife and I have finished work and we've basically been sitting in a holding pattern waiting for the house to rent out. It's been extremely frustrating as we've got this great plan for moving up the coast over summer but the first step in that, renting the house out, was proving to be quite a hurdle.
Our original agent was not that at all. Over the first few weeks we had a few inspections booked but then no-one would turn up. He kept saying we'll need to lower the price which we did assuming his knowledge and expertise was the best advice.
We also had a couple of other issues with him such as his advice to not have an open house and the fact I had to suggest a sign out front and other marketing methods. So when another inspection didn't occur, I had a go at him about the lack of personal service and he seemed genuinely suprised that we weren't happy. What planet must this guy live on?
Alas, upon having a mix-up with the key for an upcoming inspection, we had cause to call him and found his mobile was set to a voice recording saying to log-on to their website and fill out a form and someone would ring you back. We were flabbergasted that this was the process in place for people to make contact, ask a question, book an inspection, etc. Surely some people upon getting that message were hanging up and saying that's all too hard.
The sacking was swift therefore and another agent was able to meet us later that day and get the house up on the internet that night. She also agreed to conduct an open house on the Saturday, in two days time, even though it was her allocated day off. Now that is proper service. It was a shock to us after the crap we'd endured from the other agent.
The open house was a success with a number of groups through that went away with applications. Come Monday, yesterday, two had submitted their applications and we've selected one with it to be all finalised later today. So after getting only one group through in four weeks with one agent, we now had the house rented out after only four days with another.
You live and learn don't you? Just spewing we put the price down as much as we did based on the first agent's advice. Oh well, the mortgage is still covered and we can start moving forward once again.
So the next step? Well, we're off up the coast tomorrow to try and find a house up there. Looks like we'll be moving the weekend after next so time is of the essence and its action stations all round. A massive relief though to get through the first step and our 'seachange' dream remains alive.
Here's to beers on the beach within a fortnight!
EDM.
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