Summer had hit with a vengeance!
Wednesday the 16th November was a 39 degree heat! The best place to be was inside with all window closed and curtains drawn to keep the hot air out. A good time to do some catch up on the computer, read and sew. Grace had given me several skirts and blouses which she needed taking in. I didn’t have all that I needed but started by checking how it could be done. I’m not sure what happened to the rest of the week but I don’t remember having much free time.
The following Monday, 21st November, Lorna had asked if I would like a sewing machine cabinet. I was delighted as I had set up the sewing machine on the computer table in the master bedroom. Nezka also rang to say she wanted to go to Spotlight so we made a morning of it. First she picked me up then I drove her car to the retirement village were we collected the sewing cabinet before heading to Spotlight then a quick stop off at Bunnings to get a wall attachment for an outdoor shower.
Tuesday a neighbour from across the road had ordered a skip bin as her mother had moved into a retirement village and they were cleaning out her home. As they say one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Once again I found some treasures that would be handy and stored them under my carport till I could find a spot for them. I was still waiting for the water tank to go up so I could also erect my shed!
Wednesday, I took the bus and train south to be picked up by Helen and driven out to Brookton where we spent the day cleaning up her mother’s home. Helen had hired a wipper-snipper to cut back the long dry grass which was not only very untidy looking but a fire hazard. Poor Helen was out in the heat of it while I swept, vacuumed and mopped inside. Several rooms were strewn with broken light bulbs. There had previously been a break in where youth had smashed the bulbs and started fires in a set of draws as well as on the kitchen table! They had broken two back windows to get into the house and then run amuck. Fortunately nothing was stolen and the house wasn’t burnt down. Helen thinks it was just some young bored kids.
Once again I piled the car full of treasures.
Thursday was supposed to be the day of the water tank. But after waiting an hour for them to arrive I called to find that people were off sick so they would have to come on Friday instead. Thursday was also the day I had planned to help poison Ann’s Japanese Pepper tree growing between the fences. That was also put off, till Saturday which turned out to be too hot, 37 degrees, so it was once again postponed.
Friday, Mum was being picked up and taken to a Christmas Island reunion lunch which is held once a year around this time. I thought I was going to have a quiet morning at Share In at church, but it wasn’t to be. The water tank was rescheduled to be installed Friday morning.
The big day finally arrived. Running late again, the workmen finally turned up with trailer and tank. The position I had chosen was close to the old laundry trough but with enough room for the pump. The base or Earth Ring was put down and filled with yellow sand. I mentioned that I didn’t think I was having an Earth Ring but was reassured it was in the plan. I also asked a neighbour to help the guys lift the tank over my side fence/gate which was a bit tricky as although the tank was rather light it was awkward to lift especially with my passionfruit vine and garden to be avoided.
As the tank was placed on the Earth Ring they noticed it was far too close to the eaves to allow for the catchment pipes. The boss was rung and plans discussed. Then it was realised that the drawn plan had not been changed but the order had. There was no mention of the Earth Ring on the order sheet. So putting the tank aside the Earth Ring was emptied of all the yellow sand and removed.
Now of course they were running behind time. All the pipes were put into place except for the once for the overflow which my plumber was going to organise. The tap, with T join, was attached to the wall (with a part that had to be adapted as they didn’t have the right part). It then needed to be repositioned as the guy hadn’t listened to my instructions. I needed the rainwater tank tap placed off centre to the trough as the mains tap was to be put on the other side of the trough. This would enable me to use mains water when (like now) the tank was empty. After adjusting the tap to its new positing he was still missing a part so he would have to be back again. It was now just after midday and time for them to knock off as Fridays was their half day.
I had a very uneventful weekend which was a nice change and spent most of the time in the garden.
Monday, my dear friend John came to visit with his young Kelpie cross. Then plumber arrived at 2pm to work on the trough plumbing fitting the down pipe so that the overflow and water from the trough could both be used on the garden if and when needed. He moved the mains tap up to the trough height and suggested when the water tank guy come back to finish off I get him to change the T pipe so that I could fit the outdoor shower onto the tap itself. This way I could use either tap.
I h
ad had lots of challenges with the shower attachments going several times to Bunnings to make changes and adjustments. I finally got things to work through a Y tap adjuster, attaching the shower hose permanently to the Y adaptor. This would enable me to change the Y adaptor from tap to tap without having to undo the shower pipe. I could then use one side of the Y for the shower (permanently attached) and one for the garden hose or without the hose so I could fill the trough. I think I must have been at least 5 times to Bunnings for this job alone! That was after a Sunday’s sermon mentioned Bunnings and the frequency of our visits!
I was back to Bunnings again the following day with Nezka for something else! Then in the afternoon two of the guys from the units climbed between the fences to cut and poison the Japanese Pepper which had sprung up after being cut in 2014 when the old asbestos fence was taken down and the new Colourbond was erected.
It didn’t take them long to hack it back. It was then passed to me across my back neighbour’s fence to be dragged out to the councils green garden bin. Here it was cut into manageable pieces before we cleaned up behind us. A job well done and now ticked off the list!
My builder, Glenn, also arrived to finish off the bathroom attachments. Another room complete! He later returned to finish off the range hood and tea towel rack which also completed the work in the kitchen.
The day ended with a Christmas gathering of the church mission’s team and prayer. I was picked up from Mum’s after our early dinner then dropped back at the unit. It was a lovely night to close a very eventful year of missions.
The last day of November, I took Mum to Whiteman’s park which is about 20 minutes inland from us. It was a beautiful day for it as it was neither hot, cold nor windy. The previous time we had planned to go it rained. So we were delighted to have such lovely weather. Thank you Lord. Our first stop was the train station where we booked our tickets for a 20min ride around the park looking at the vegetation of the Aussie bush. The Christmas trees were out in their orange splendour as well as a few late spring wild flowers. We then stopped for a coffee before picking up a wheel chair so that I could push mum around to see the arts and craft shops. Suzie, Mum’s dog, of course came along with us and was quite well behaved for a change.
December the 1st the water tank guy returned to finish off the job. Changing the T connector for an elbow and fastening the hose to the wall for more security. Praise the Lord another job finished.
My new church friend Elaine dropped in for a freshly percolated coffee and to share our combined gluten free morning tea. She called in between jobs which is a lovely way to catch up for both of us.
Friday was a busy day with preparations for the second house warming as well as a council meeting to decide what was to be done with the local shopping strip in North Beach. I had also planned to go Frances prayer breakfast but had totally forgotten I no longer had Kath’s car! Things we take for granted! I rang to apologise next time I hope to have more time so I can bike there (if it’s not too hot!).
After making sure the unit was clean and most things ready for 2pm, I walked to Mum’s so that we could drive there together. I actually walked right past it on route to Mum’s the drove back for the 10am council meeting. It was very interesting with lots of locals giving their input and suggestions. We hadn’t realised how long it was planned for and had to leave at midday so I could finish my preparations.
The afternoon went off well with lots of church friends, a few of Mum’s friends and a neighbour. Good weather, lots to eat and drink and very little left overs making it a perfect day.
Amongst other things I completed this December was fixing the security sliding door. Not only were the runners were very worn down but the lock no longer worked. I removed the old runners which had been riveted on and were rusted, but was unable to replace them as the screw holes were now too large for the new screws. On route past one evening Glenn kindly took the security sliding door, strapping it to the roof rack of his ute to work on it at home before dropping it off Saturday morning.
I also needed to replace the lock so that I could lock the door at night and leave it open to cool the house down. The lock gave me a few challenges. Firstly I couldn’t remover the old one as I couldn’t find the key and without it I would need a locksmith. Hmmmm! I had wanted to do it myself and a call out to replace the key was over $200. So I prayed. The next morning as I woke (which is usually between 3:30-4am) I thought I should look in my old beauty case. There I found three bunches of keys. Praise the Lord one fitted the lock enabling me to dismantle it.
Off to Bunnings once more, this time to buy a replacement lock. The first lock I bought I had a funny feeling it was faulty. I was right as although I took it off to try and fix it three times it still didn’t work! In fact the last time I couldn’t even unlock it to remove the lock chamber! I had to call the manufacture to ask how! Once removed for the last time I returned it to Bunning (yes another visit) where I replaced it. This time it went in so much easier and worked as it should, that is until I slid the door closed to try the lock! The whole door jammed! No it wasn’t locked as I could prise the door back off the lock but no further! Praise the Lord, Glenn was returning the following day to help fit the shed together.
Nezka and I had been working on the shed for several weeks. We worked when she and I had time between school pickups and my rushing around. Wall by wall the holding beams were screwed on holding the frame together. The door and frame were completed. It was rather tricky as the tin walls caved in with the pressure of the screws. On several occasions the power screwdriver slipped scratching my brand new shed! Now, you would think this would have been a clear enough warning but no! It only took one occasion for it to slip into my finger, blood spirting as I clamped it with my thumb and dashed to the bathroom to bandage it. We both took a lot more care where our hands were after that. I also wore my gardening gloves for extra protection. I have since heard on the news that the hospitals are receiving an influx of power tool accidents for DIY jobs. I’m not surprised! Thank you Lord for your protection!
Glenn’s last work job was well timed. As I continue to believe ‘it’s all in the Lord’s timing’! He was unable to come earlier due to his busy schedule and the wind. The shed needed a calm day to be erected as any gust of wind against the Colourbond walls would have made it virtually impossible to hold steady for screwing. Nezka and I had tried before admitting defeat and calling in the experts.
Glenn’s apprentice, Trent, helped hold the walls as Glenn, screwed and I held the invaluable little piece of wood that did such an important job of supporting the tin as the screws went in. After a few adjustments the shed was up. Hallelujah I’d waited literally months since I bought it for this very moment! Thank you Lord for your patience!
Now for the sliding screen door. Glenn adjusted the runner widening it so that it no longer caught as well as raising it slightly so that it ran smoothly. What a difference it makes when you have someone who knows what they are doing. It now operated beautifully and was the final job be completed!
During this time Nezka’s daughter had her end of year Christmas concert which Mum and I were invited to. It was packed with parents, children, relatives and friends. The school is renowned for its musical emphasis which showed in its well-orchestrated performance. (pun intended).
Kath also passed through, staying a few days before flying out to work. She had had a lovely drive across Australia visiting friends along the route before finally arriving in Eumundi QLD.
And of course I’ve been working more in the garden. Having planted many vegetable seeds mid-October, I now have a lovely crop of carrots seedlings, my Chinese veg never came up, the coriander came up and immediately went to seed, both the garlic and ordinary chives are doing well as are the tomato plants which are nearly a meter high and flowering. I had to replant the only two basil seedlings as I have realised that the spot along the north facing wall gets plenty of winter sun but little to no summer sun as it is under the eaves. This spot is now a challenge as to what to plant there as it was where I hoped to put roses. There is definitely not enough summer sun for roses! I thought maybe camellias. Any suggestions?
I’d like to take this moment to say Merry Christmas to you all. Have a wonderful Christmas full of His joy and peace. Stay safe and blessed and touch those around you with love and compassion.
Photos: 1. Aust Christmas tree, 2. Treasures, 3. Tank and trough, 4. Tea towel rack 5. Whiteman Park, 6. Shed 7. Back garden 8. Kath, Mum and I out for dinner
Prayer & Praise Points:
Praise the Lord for His perfect timing, constant protection, provision, leading and guidance.
Praise Him for all the little things that have fallen into place to finish off all the renovation jobs on my little place I now call home.
Praise the Lord for all my supportive friends and prayer partners. I really do appreciate you all.
Praise the Lord for family and friends who have been such a help and support.
Praise Him for mum’s continual good health and for His wisdom in how I am to support her and not mollycoddle or take over. It’s a fine line on how not to do it all for her and to help her feel she is still somewhat independent.
Please also continue to pray Mum stays safe on the road as she still insists to drive herself. Please also pray she will decide for herself that it’s time to give up driving.