Life Down Wattle Lane v2 - Kitchen Has Arrived

3rd times the charm. The last 2 kitchens we have installed were from Nice Kitchens in Henderson Auckland. Simple styling but well built at exceptional value.

Well when it came to looking at our 3rd kitchen, and now being based in Christchurch we thought we had better look at a local supplier. Even for a Bunning's kitchen we were looking at $4500. Well pricing up the same kitchen with Nice Kitchens came in at $2400 including freight! So we ordered our 3rd Nice Kitchen and today, 2 weeks later, our kitchen arrived at the truck depot in Christchurch.

Now the only difference this time the Nice Kitchen came flat pack. The last 2 Kitchens were assembled. FYI the bunnings was also kitset.

So what does a flat pack kitset kitchen look like...

There are no instructions and this will truly test my DIY skills... but I cant wait to start and hope to knock it out in a couple of days! Fortunately most parts are labeled.

Although it took me a wee while to work out what Sted means Haha... can you figure it out?

Life Down Wattle Lane v2 - Parkinson's & Moody Me

This post is a little personal but I feel I need to address, as not to upset those I love down the track, as my illness progresses.

Along with the usual challenges of Parkinson's I've started to notice that there has been an unintentional change in my personality/character and overall mood.

I whole heartedly apologies to anyone close to whom I might have come across cold, harsh, and just rude to. It's not me and I never wish to offend anyone.

I didn't realize my inner demons were showing outwards until a couple of people recently asked if they have upset me. 

For the record it's generally very hard to upset me, unless you are a complete idiot, but 2021 I am working hard to stay positive and I need to work harder to show that.

I do find that I do go a little into my own world which I am happy in and I can become obsessive with somethings. Sometimes I might need pulling out, but more often than not, I need to be left to myself to work through. But I will return.

If you want to learn a little more about Parkinson's to understand a little more... have a read of the below:

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement and results in such symptoms as tremors, slowness, stiffness, loss of balance and difficulty with speech and writing.

While it can’t be cured, its motor symptoms can be managed.

But sometimes the very medications that help control Parkinson’s physical symptoms can unmask — or even cause — behavioral, emotional or psychological problems.

Anxiety and depression

The most common symptoms experienced by people who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease are anxiety and depression.

The patient is understandably anxious, fearful about how their lives will change in general and how functional impairment caused by the disease will manifest itself.

Depression, apathy and withdrawal from things a person previously enjoyed are another frequent symptom.

Anxiety and depression occur in about 40 percent to 50 percent of Parkinson’s patients at one time or another over the course of the disease.

Personality changes

Family members, friends and caregivers may notice changes in personality brought on by neurological changes in the brain because of Parkinson’s disease.

The changes can be varied. Examples include:

• A person who was always conscientious becomes careless
• A previously easy-going person becomes rigid and stubborn
• An outgoing social butterfly turns into a stay-at-home introvert

Impulsive or compulsive behaviors

Some Parkinson’s patients act impulsively, unable to control the desire to do certain things. This behavior can range from innocuous-seeming excessive Internet use to:

• Hoarding
• Charity donations
• Gambling
• Excessive eating or drinking
• Compulsive sexual preoccupations

These symptoms are typically caused by certain medications used for treatment of motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease. They may occur in up to 15 percent of patients who receive such medications. But they are most likely to occur in people who were predisposed to these conditions before diagnosis.

These behaviors can be quite destructive if, for example, a spouse is distressed by a loved one’s new obsession with pornography or neighbors become alarmed at the patient’s insistence on fixing their fences even after completing all the work.

Hallucinations

Parkinson’s patients can experience hallucinations that range from mild to severe, pleasant to frightening. Sometimes, patients describe the sensation of feeling a presence near them or of seeing something passing on the periphery of their vision. Others may be delighted by a vision of little children or flowers.

Sometimes the hallucinations are dark or upsetting. The patient may become alarmed at the sight of bugs on the floor, at sensing a stranger’s presence in the house or believing someone is stealing from them.

Parkinson’s patients have reported seeing human faces in clouds or a person in a coat that is hanging on a rack.

PS... I've not had any hallucinations yet, but I have some crazy dreams, so crazy I won't go back to sleep.

Down Wattle Lane v2 - Up

Finally we are now working on the foundations. Exciting the house is progressing.

Smith's Cranes & Construction who moved the house are doing the work. Highly recommended and they have all the toys to get the job done. 

Step 1 - Raise the house... up she goes...

Step 2 - Foundation holes - 46 or so.

Step 3 - Wait for council inspection.........

Life Down Wattle Lane v2 - Shifting The Poles

When we purchased the property, the previous owner who still owns the property next door advised that the power poles located on the boundary of the property were to be relocated into our property by 5 metres within an existing easement for the power lines to feed a future subdivision. 

We were ok with this when we purchased, and this week Mainpower have been at work relocating the lines. The linesman are super professional and very pleasant to talk too. The guys were rather impressive, working in the 36 degrees heat in full safety gear.

Some trees had to come down, so we also took the opportunity to remove a few extra trees to open up the view to Mt Gray and the ridge line.  

Life Down Wattle Lane v2 - My Family & Friends

One of the many reasons we have moved to Christchurch is to spend more time with family and reconnecting.

My biggest reconnect is with Gary. Our life Down Wattle Lane v1 was living 5 nights apart each week while our dream reconnect is to be back together 7 nights a week. We are still working on this, but over Christmas Gary spent 3 weeks with me in our little cabin. Apart from stepping on each others toes, all went well. Gary had lined up 2 job interviews while down here, and he got 2 job offers! I was so proud, I nearly cried... nearly! A huge relief. Gary will become a Cantabarian this 12th Feb.

Reconnecting with my immediate family has had it ups and downs, but overall it has been great. I really enjoy the time spent although I wish I was able to spend more time with all. The house has been consuming my life and time. I just need to get it finished asap.

Spending time with my cousins has been awesome. BBQ's and helping out with projects around the farm.

We have also tracked down some old family friends.

Reconnecting is incredibly rewarding.

Life Down Wattle Lane v2 - Dear Blog

 Dear Blog

I'm writing to you to apologies for neglecting you and for not posting any posts over the last few weeks. Sorry.

Since my last post we have had Christmas and hosted a family lunch in our newly painted living room.

We also went hard shopping during the Christmas/Boxing Day/New Year sales. We now have an oven, rangehood, laundry tub, door handles, curtains, flooring vinyl and carpet, and buckets load of paint! As always purchasing at bargain prices.

We had a quiet new years, but gladly welcome 2021 and all that it brings. I'm not one for new years resolutions, but 2021 I need more positivity in my life. So let's forget 2020 and look forward in a positive light.

"You do not find a happy life... You Make It!"

I will post more frequently of our summer adventures, until then, thankyou blog for your understanding.

Much Love

Ricky

Down Wattle Lane v2 - Something Was Stirring In The Night

At about 10.30pm last night, just after I had gone to bed, I heard a stirring outside... We are still 1 week out from Christmas, too early for Santa.

This morning we woke to 30 large round hay bales. 

The "Hey Ferry" has been! 

May this be the cure to my seasonal hay fever

Life Down Wattle Lane v2 - Our House Has Arrived!

At 1.30am today our house has arrived! YAY!!!!

Negotiating the drive way entrance.

This power line was a concern as the gap was a little narrow between our deer fence and the neighbors statue, and they couldn't raise the house too high due to the power line. So Mum and I retro fitted the deer fence, which is now a sheep fence.

Parked up for the night in  the paddock. The move to site will happen during daylight.

I realize there are still issues to be sorted with the council and the consent but it is bloody awesome to have the house here... I have that good feeling.

Life Down Wattle Lane v2 - An Early Christmas Present

Finally the day has come and the house can now depart Hornby Christchurch to Loburn Rangiora, some 46kms.

The house is loaded and ready to transport this Sunday night.

As exciting as it is, not is all that it seems. 

We still don't have the building consent, although the council has allowed us to move the house onsite, while we work out the remaining issues.

SIT (Southern Institute of Technology) whom we are buying the house from, demanded the removal no later than the 18th December. I fully understand their situation, the delays we are experiencing are incredible. 

However trying to find a house mover this close to Christmas was a challenge. Also we couldn't afford to move the house twice. Our predicament, was that we could move the house to the property, but we are not allowed to build the foundations etc until we have the consent, thus requiring two moves. 

Smith Cranes, came up with the solution that they will move the house to the correct position and sit it on blocks. Then once we have the consent, Smith Cranes will return to raise the house to 3m, so we can build the foundations under the house, then lower the house down onto the new foundations. So that's the plan for now.

Now... this is our second attempt at moving the house. It was supposed to be here last night. Might possibly be karma on my part. About 2 months ago I lost my marbles and went totally spastic at the SIT lawyers. I mistakenly paid the deposit directly into their bank account, when it should have gone to my lawyers to pay to them. Anti money laundering rules etc blah blah blah. The SIT lawyers got upset and demanded $250 + gst to verify my id. I wrote back to them saying this is daylight robbery and I'm not paying that. So through the lawyers we sent verified copies of passport, driver's license and our latest rates bills. At this point I was being reasonable and playing the game. However then the SIT lawyers wanted a verified copy of my eftpos card... and if I failed to provide they were going to deduct the fee from the deposit.

Now I lost my cool. 

My words were... "do you want to sell the bloody house or not?" "If this shit is going to continue, refund us the deposit and I will go elsewhere" I was advised they couldn't refund the deposit. I then advised them I couldn't work with them any longer, Gary will have to take over, because they are being so ridiculous.

Now just to confirm I wasn't being unreasonable... our lawyers backed me.

Meanwhile Gary was researching JP's so he could take me to have my eftpos card verified. I said to Gary, "you go, but I'm not going". "I'm  just not doing it". They are not having it, also there is no name on my eftpos card. Anyone who knows our family, the Atkinson side, Mum's side of our family, we are very stubborn... especially when we are right. I was not going to provide any further id than what was already supplied.

Now for the Karma part. SIT required full payment before moving the house. I instructed our lawyers to pay Wednesday, and SIT lawyers had to provide some paperwork but would do that Thursday morning and said it will be ok. Everyone knew the deadline and the truck was coming Thursday afternoon. Paperwork done, balance payment made, all was done by lunchtime Thursday, and copies of payment sent to SIT lawyers. Well... SIT wouldn't release the house as the payment wasnt showing. Now this is where I wonder if games were being played. We did as requested and bank transfers are pretty much instant nowadays, but SIT lawyers might have afforded themselves the last laugh... payback.

I wasn't advised there was any issues at the time. Smith Cranes arrived to collect the house and were turned away. They were furious... understandably and as was I, once knew. No one phoned me to advise there was anything wrong. I would have been straight back on the phone to the SIT lawyers if I was made aware.

So Smith Cranes are very kind enough to work Sunday night to deliver the house, otherwise a delivery before Christmas just isn't going to work. I'm very grateful.

So fingers crossed for a smooth delivery tomorrow... I'm very excited to get the house... finally.

Life Down Wattle Lane v2 - Luck

We're  coming to the end of 2020... who could have predicted such a year. My Chinese horoscope should have been a warning.

In the first half of the year 2020, Horse people who were born in 1978 will have less fortune in general.

Well I'd say my poor fortune has run well into 2020. 

Normally I'd reflect on the year that has passed... but I really don't think I want to.

I'm normally positive and just get on with life... but the bad luck is starting to get to me.

> Get glasses for the first time.

> Diagnosed with Parkinson's.

> Lose job & no luck securing another.

> Constant issues with council and the new build. Just one battle after another.

> Insurance claim denied, & not eligible for any welfare assistance.

> Battles with medication.

> Big Mamma & Bootsie died...

The list goes on with things not going to plan this year and well just crap luck.

Up until now, it didn't bother me, but when my spinning wheel spindle broke... I finally succumb to my constant bad luck. I swore... a lot!

It's not something that you can just replace... the spinning wheel is antique, hand crafted.

So my DIY genes kicked in and I thought I will just have to hand craft a replacement part.

So I did, and it works perfectly!

 

If only I can DIY all my problems, but 2021 is nearly here... lets hope for some better fortune.