Grab a cuppa, kick your shoes off, relax and enjoy the journey……
After my glut of visitors things gradually fell back into the normal routine. Whatever that is! I don’t think I have very much of a normal routine at the moment. What with the comings and goings of tradesman and the like.
Wednesday the 12th of October I had a guy call to give me a quote for the water tank. Nezka was here at the time and between us we threw around a lot of ideas. I think the new shed position was moved at least three or was it four to different areas. I’m not going to put it up till the tank is in and I have a better perspective of how things fit. It’s not a big area around the back of the unit so positioning is important.
Other things were also brought up including where was the run off water from the tank going to go? I hadn’t thought of run off water! This is the excess water from an overflowing tank. It needs to go into the downpipe. There were two downpipes one at either end of the unit. My challenge was which one? The most obvious and closest was difficult as the pipe would have to run behind the laundry trough (which I still needed to attach to the wall) and beneath the hot water tank and air-conditioning unit. This make it a bit trick. The other would have to go around a ventilation pipe and under the bedroom window which could make it quite noisy and messy looking. Not only this but the shed, if I put it here, would have to stick out a little further too.
The plumber would need to return to do a bit of work including connect the trough waste, extend the tap so that it was higher than the trough and replace the washer under warranty in the bathroom mixer. I booked him to come around in a few weeks so I could get things ready. I also wanted to install the washing machine before he arrived just in case. I had been offered a washing machine by a friend, Marlene, from church whose mother was moving into a retirement home. It was all perfect timing! Obviously the Lord was orchestrating it once again.
On Friday 14th having enrolled mum into a painting class and me as a volunteer trainee teacher for ‘Life Explored’, I picked her up and headed for church. I had been trying to get mum to attend the craft day at church ever since I had returned to Perth late 2014. At the time she had not been ready but now, finding she was unable to remember where she was up to on her knitting patters I had suggested she once again take up painting. Previously mum had two friends with whom she had enjoyed painting with but due to circumstances this had fallen away as did her desire to paint. Then from about midyear I once again suggested she join the church painting classes. This time she warmed to the suggestion. Unfortunately I was unable to book her in to the watercolour class as it was one of the most popular classes. The only class I could get her into was the finishing off class. Unbeknown to me this was a class where people did their own thing. The first day was a bit of a disaster! At Think Spot – which is a time where all the participants enter the main auditorium to see some of the finished art work and to hear a short devotional talk – mum decided she wasn’t moving. I went and found her and she said it was pointless staying or coming again as no one had spoken to her. I told her to give it time as it was a new term and many new people who may have been quiet or shy. I then suggested she find someone to talk to as she is very social type.
At morning tea, which is after Think Spot she wandered around and found Emma a church helper. Emma works with the elderly taking them on social bus trips. Unfortunately after inquiring about mum joining the group we were told she was on the wrong government package! This later led to me making further inquiries and a HACC (government worker) came out to assess her needs. We were later told that she was eligible to attend the Day Centres and could be picked up and dropped off at her door. Now to see which one in the area is available.
Since that first Friday mum has settled in a little better with the encouragement from my sisters as well as friends/organisers from Share In who have made it a point to talk to mum and invite her to the Think Spot. I have tried to allow mum to settle in herself without too much of my intervention. On one Friday, while coming, she was so muddle headed she went to the wrong place and had to go home to call me. She knows how to get to my place so now comes there first, then afterwards we come back for a chat and a look around at what’s new since her last visit.
Next year we have put mum down for the water painting class which I’m praying she will be accepted into, as this class has a teacher and has more interaction which I think will suit her better.
What of my class you ask? I’ve been enjoying the lessons as well as making new friends. Next term I have my eyes on the ceramic tile classes as I’ve already planned to make a tiled splashback for the outside trough. Now just to pick a theme, draw the pictures, which I plan to do in panels so I can add to them as I go, and source appropriate tiles. Another project 🙂
Saturday 15th I babysat Nezka and Michael’s kids while they attended a 50th birthday party. Ann my neighbour returned home late that night too and I slept badly because I went to bed after midnight and then dosed off in church. I really don’t like late nights as my body clock still insists I wake up between 4-6am!
Sunday after church I bought half a trailer of mushroom compost with Nezka and Michael who drove their car as it had a towbar. We helped each other unload the compost before Michael returned the trailer which was on a time limit, free for the first 2hrs.
Monday I started to dig in the compost, soil improver and cow manure into the garden beds for the lavender, roses and fruit trees out the back. Later in the week with the garden beds prepared I was able to plant vegetable seeds and the lavender which I had cultivated from the seedlings I had accidental pulled up while weeding around the church.
Tuesday 18th the shutter people arrived and installed an exterior security blind on the lounge window. This is to help reflect the hot westerly sun as well as prevent the storm waters entering through the window seals as it has in the past.
Then on Wednesday, manned with packets of seeds, both vegetable, marigolds and camomile I began planting. I had decided because I was not able to use the planned vegetable garden area due to the bulbs I was waiting for, I would instead use the beds I had prepared for the roses and fruit trees out the back. I used up all the seeds but was very disappointed that many of them didn’t germinate. I’m not sure why but Nezka who also bought seeds that day had the same problem. What did sprout were the carrots in abundance, chives, beetroot, a few tomato plants, pak choi and basil, two cucumber and hopefully coriander.
One day when Ann, my neighbour was out, I decided I’d surprise her by planting some flowers in her garden. It was an old mixed packet so I have no idea if they will come up or not. I had asked her if she would like me to plant some geraniums in her garden which she agreed with as she is not a gardener and geraniums are very hardy. I had three varieties which were ready to plant so they also went in. Another neighbour, Cath, saw me in Ann’s garden and asked what I was doing. After explaining I gave her the rest of the mixed seeds to put in her garden. I’m hoping they will all survive as neither are avid gardeners and I suspect they will not get the water they need. It will be interesting to see what happens.
There was another Busy Bee to help clean up the church garden on Saturday 22nd Oct when I had the pleasure to meet Elaine and Steve who had worked in Bangkok, Laos and Cambodia. We hit it off immediately. It was nice to meet someone my age who had similar experiences abroad. We caught up again two weeks later for a coffee at their home. I also met Ian who dropped me at home after our mornings work. He took a look at what I was doing around the back of the unit and offered his help.
My elder sister, Trish, came to visit me on the 24th. We had talked about the fig tree which mum had given me to plant. Trish informed me this was a wild fig with small fruit. She had a lovely large black fig sapling which was in a pot that I could have. It was about a meter high with lovely large leaves. I planted it quite close to the other fig in the hope that they would stunt each other’s growth. I did a similar thing when I planted three Hass avocado seedlings which I had grown from seed. My small plot of garden is getting very crowded and yet there is more I’d like to plant!
The electrician was back on Tuesday. I needed an external power point for the water pump for the tank. I also needed to change the exterior light and the hallway light as both the fittings had deteriorated over time. The builder also dropped off his jackhammer which I wanted to borrow to chisel a hole in the old pagoda foundation so that I could erect a small lattice (salvaged from mums) to protect the blueberry from the southerly winds. This took me awhile to do as I could only chip away a little at a time, making a narrow slit where the wooden upright could be slotted in. I was going to cement the posts in but decided once the slit had been made in the old cement it would be enough to prevent it from being blown over.
Glenn was also keeping an eye out for a cement paving slab which I needed to put under the outside trough. I had dug out the existing brick pavers because they were quite uneven and not a good support for the trough. Glenn dropped around the cement slab and Ian give me a hand to lift it into place. He also helped cut some brick pavers to finish off the job and helped me position the lattice for the blueberry. He then returned on Friday after Share In to help pick up and install the washing machine that was offered to me. It was absolutely amazing! It was the perfect fit! I had such a small space in the bathroom beside the vanity that only a small machine could fit the space and enable me to close the door.
Ian helped attach the water taps which are in the new vanity cupboard. This was a bit tricky in the small space. Once set up I waited till the following day, Saturday, to try it out. Firstly there seemed to be a problem as I kept getting an error message. As I didn’t have a manual I just kept trying. Eventually I realised I had to close the lid, yes it’s a top loader which I prefer as I’m always forgetting to put something in and can add it after the wash has started.
Once I had worked this out and it was filling up to do what I thought was a cold wash, I left it and wondered off to water the garden. While out the back I could hear the hot water tank operating! By the time I checked out my washing I realised instead of filling up with cold it has used up my entire tank of hot water! I realised the plumber had put the taps on the wrong way. Simple enough to correct I thought. I’d just change the hoses around at the back of the machine. Well it wasn’t as simple as I had assumed! Ian had tightened them so much I needed to use a spanner! Finally all was done and I left the machine to finish its wash. It’s so nice to have my own machine and to do my washing when I pleased.
In the meantime I was quite concerned to see the Japanese Pepper tree had grown above my neighbour’s fence. This tree had been cut down (and I thought poisoned) when our asbestos fences had been removed. At the time I had pulled out meters of thick roots from this tree extending into my back garden. I didn’t want this to reoccur especially as I now plan to have fruit trees here.
I spoke to Ann and her back neighbour, Alison about the problem. Alison was also concerned as it had started growing through the fence. Then with permission I had a few arborists come to give a quote to remove it. During these inspections I was told the easier way to get rid of it was to cut it and immediately paint the cut with glyphosate – Roundup. Great, I can do that. Some of the other neighbours also offered to help with the cutting and removal of the rubbish.
Saturday 29th Oct I attended a seminar on aged care at the church. Some of the points were very helpful and relevant to helping mum too.
That afternoon I had decided I was going to erect a shade area for the avocado saplings before planting them. I also wanted to attach the trough to the back wall of the unit but was unsure which screws to use. I had prepared the four posts for the shade cloth and was standing with shade cloth, hammer and nails in hand wondering how I was going to do it on my own. I sent up a quick prayer for the Lord to send someone along to give me a hand. I had hardly finished the prayer when I looked up and mum’s old neighbour, Cliff stepped out of his car! I said ‘praise the Lord, you are an answer to prayer’. Cliff is a medic with the ambo services and now lives with his wife in Dunsborough and although he works in Perth 3 days a week, I hardly see him. He is also a handyman and has helped me out on several occasions over the years when I’ve needed someone to do something around the unit. And here he was again just at the perfect time. Thank you Lord!
Cliff not only helped me put the shade cloth in place but also suggested the screws to use for the trough. Two more jobs ticked off the list.
That Monday I dug some large holes for the soil improver, compost and cow manure before planting the three avocado saplings. Around three sides of the shelter I had also tied more shade cloth to help protect the saplings from the winds. I also put up an old sheet of ceiling board on the east side as this was where the strong winds were whistling through. Now to see if they would survive.
I did promise there would be a second house warming/dedication. I’ve decided there can’t be two of the same thing so this time I’m calling it a home viewing. I’m just praying that the builder will have finished all the last little touches by then! So if you’re in the area and available please join me on Saturday the 3rd of Dec at 2pm. RSVP by the 30th of November and if you remember please bring along some finger food. See you there!
Photos: 1. Kangaroo paws in north garden 2. Pavers removed for cement slab 3. Retaining wall made from odd stones 4. Pavers extended to make larger area 5. Lattes windbreak for blueberry 6. Shade cloth for avocado trees with fig beside at back 7. West facing garden at front of unit
Prayer & Praise Points:
Praise the Lord for His abundant provision, blessings during all areas of my life especially in providing fitting furniture and generous friends.
Praise Him for all the little things that have taken place and are continuing to take place in my little home.
Praise the Lord for His work in mum as she continues in good health and in the opportunities for her to join in activities to keep her active.
Praise the Lord for family and friends. For His wisdom in supporting mum. Please pray that we will be able to find other activities she can get involved with over the Christmas period when most things close down. Pray that she will be able to make new friends with who she can relate.
Thank you for your continual prayers for Mum especially with accepting some of the things that come with age especially with the loss of memory. She is finding this very challenging and is often feeling down because of it.
Please also continue to pray she stays safe on the road.
Pray also for me as now that I have moved into my unit instead of renting it out, I’m seeking the Lord in regards to finance and work opportunities.