Tuesday, 23 March 2021

Life Down Wattle Lane v2 - The Creek

We have a creek that crosses through the property and my plan for the creek is to clear out the over growth then plant natives and fence it off.

Well the previous owners of the property are subdividing their land next door and have some big diggers onsite. They have very kindly scraped back the creek banks pulling  out the gorse and weeds.

Now we have a bid mess to clean up.

So this winter, we will be ready to plant... given back to mother nature.

I found this little eel, I relocated the little fella tò some deeper water, the creek is very low at the moment.

Life Down Wattle Lane v2 - PD Deflated

Today I sent off an application to try to access Kiwisaver early, a few forms rather straightforward and all looks good, so fingers crossed. 

I've resigned  to the fact that I'm unemployable now. I've been applying for basic jobs, cleaning or gardening or stocking shelves, simple stuff, all I'm capable of and I can't even get an interview. I disclose that I have Early Onset Parkinson's as I can't hide my shakes. If I didn't disclose my condition then I'd be lieing and would make for an awkward interview.

So fingers crossed I can get hold of my Kiwisaver funds, albeit I'm feeling some regret now. After my cancer and other health issues, I decided in my great wisdom to stop contributing, as I was never going to reach 65 anyways... I still feel that, but kinda wishing now that I should have put more away when I could have. Silly Boy!

Part of the application was getting some notes from the Dr and on the latest report she advised "Ricky suffers early onset Parkinson's disease and has demonstrated rapid deterioration in symptoms that have been resistant to treatments" I have had the feeling that I'm seeing a quick progression with the disease but I wasn't sure until now.

Now I can't get those words out of my head "rapid deterioration".

So this is my dilemma, should I continue with Life Down Wattle Lane v2 and living the lifestyle dream which I love or sell up, again and downsize freeing up cash by purchasing a little unit or flat or apartment to see out the end of my days, I've been thinking about this a bit.  

Do what I love, or do the sensible financial option and downsize.

I'm not eligible for winz and have no income, relying totally on Gary's generosity.

If I get my Kiwisaver I have some more time before I need to make a decision.

I think that is where I am at, just one step at a time, one decision at a time.
 


Saturday, 13 March 2021

Life Down Wattle Lane v2 - Progress Report

I thought I would share a video to show you the progess, there is still a lot to do. A lot of the time we seem to be waiting for others to do their thing.

Plumber
1st plumber approached was interested but then stopped returning my calls. 2nd plumber visited site and said would get back to me in a couple days... 3 weeks later stiĺl no reply. 3rd plumber was expensive, Gary said the cost was for doing a new house and half our job is done. 4th plumber approached is looking promising...  fingers crossed.

Electrician 
We're using the same guy who helped us with the barn. Friendly and fair pricing... but he is busy. The power/phone cable from the barn to house has been laid, but we haven't seen him for 2 weeks now.

Carpet Layer
He quoted the laying, we purchased the carpet, had it cut to his requests, and then I left a message to say we are ready to install... but he has gone cold too... no contact for 2 weeks.

This is a similar trend with contractors, I'm not sure if it is a sign of the times, but a little communication goes a long way. I'm really not a difficult customer... I just want out of the caravan and to get into the house.

So what's next... I need to build a cradle for the bath.



Friday, 12 March 2021

Life Down Wattle Lane v2 - Our Stairway To The Good Life

As we come to the end of the build so is our budget... money is getting tight. So instead of paying a builder to build our deck and entrance I decided to give it a go myself.  I used a DIY instruction sheet on deck building from Placemakers.

I still need to add hand rail, stain the deck, but for now its a job done and off the list. In time we will add a roof/awning of some kind, but still considering the options with that, as it needs to cope with the Canterbury winds.


Feeling Happy :)

Life Down Wattle Lane v2 - Slow Progress

Slow progress, everything  is happening at a snail pace on the house.

Late Feb the house was finally down and in its foundations... very exciting.




Thursday, 25 February 2021

Life Down Wattle Lane v2 - VANDALISM

A crime has been committed here at Down Wattle Lane!

A disgraceful act of vandalism!

Scene of the Crime:

There is only 1 suspect... Whiskers the ram, not only does he have the horns to destroy the gate, but after the destructive act, he was found wandering outside his paddock walking around the house... feeling proud of himself I am sure.

Friday, 12 February 2021

Life Down Wattle Lane v2 - Sailing Past Arapawa Island

You might have heard me before go on about our Arapawa Sheep... well tonight is no different and I'm sailing on the Interislander Ferry where we've just sailed past Arapawa Island.

One of the theories as to how the Arapawa Sheep came to know Arapawa Island as there home, was that Captain Jame Cook mentioned in his diaries that sheep, goats, pigs were left on the island in the Marlborough
Sounds as a future food source for sailers. 

Whatever the reason... they have been here for longer than most of us, and they have adapted to survive life on an island, so surely they are Kiwiest of sheep?




Saturday, 6 February 2021

Life Down Wattle Lane v2 - Wool...Wool...Wool

We have so much wool. Instead of doing everything by hand, this time I have used the professionals which I have had our Arapawa Wool scoured, carded, and made into rovings for spinning yarn, and also batts for felting and other craft uses.

Once the house if done and winter has arrived, I now have plenty of supplies ready to craft with... I'm very keen to knit a beanie and slippers.

Arapawa Wool Products



Monday, 1 February 2021

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?


Sunday, 31 January 2021

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.