Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.



Active Topics || Favorites || Member List || Search || About Us || Help || Register || Login
Tea and Conversation (Forum Locked Forum Locked)
 4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Subject Topic: Our Property - we are here!! Post ReplyPost New Topic
Author
Message << Prev Topic | Next Topic >>
Erin
Forum Moderator
Forum Moderator


Joined: Feb 23 2005
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5814
Posted: Dec 29 2006 at 4:00pm | IP Logged Quote Erin

A while back I shared with you all about how we had finally found our dream land. 140 acres only 13km to town    It is an interesting property with two dams, some of the land is cleared and half with lovely trees, gums, my favourite and paper bark down on the water soaks. We have flats and hills all in all a wonderful property for the dc and us    

We have waited 14yrs for this and I had actually accepted it was never going to happen. The catch (yep often a catch) is the house (really a cabin size) is very very small. I encourage the dc to play outside a lot

We had an interesting drama the day we purchased. Firstly the dc locked the car keys in the house as we were getting in the van to pick up the property keys it took us half an hour to break back into the house, I had a few scary moments as the boys were perched on the second story sloping roof trying to break into their bedrooms.

Finally we picked up the keys and headed out The dc and I unloaded the first load and headed back in. I left the windows open to air the house Whilst in town we had a torrential downpour and I was worried about those windows. As we drove back out with dh ahead in the Holden we noticed leaves all over the road. As we pulled off the highway dh stopped ahead of me to pull a tree off the road. When we drove up our driveway we were stopped by a massive gum down on our front lawn blocking our way in. Welcome Home    For the first night we managed to carry everyhting in via another gate, the next morning we rang friends to borrow a chain saw (we get mobile reception on some spots of the lawn)This area was hit by a massive hail storm the size of cricket balls. We have a swath of trees down just torn off their trunks and twisted and branches torn off.

Fortunately I had arranged insurance and they are happy to replace the iron on the roof which was damaged, the carpet in two rooms which were ruined and the screens which were slashed. They also fixed the TV antena very quickly as they understood that dh wanted to watch Australia play England in the Ashes (sorry Kathryn and Elizabeth)The tv part was funny, I was getting slow response for the antennae repair, I rang back the company and said to the representative when he asked if anything was urgent that we were happy to wait on everything else but that dh must have the TV for cricket on boxing day, he said he absolutely understood and would ring the antennae business immediately.

Well this was all twelve days before Christmas, by this time I was resigned to a simple Christmas, I figured if Mary had to travel all the way to Bethlehem on a donkey she would have only been able to fit in some basic swaddling clothes and gave birth in a stable then we could also Honour Him simply. Which we did. We had a lovely Christmas day with the children receiving all outside toys (bikes etc)

Now the 'honeymoon' is starting to wind down and I am facing the very real conundrum of how to fit 9 people in a house less than one third the size of their previous home My biggest problem is how to fit a homeschooling life into this house. Homeschooling sure comes with lots of 'stuff'. Papers, craft supplies, scissors etc. I haven't even begun to fit the books in yet. It will definelty only be three bookcases

The kitchen is much smaller too, I am going to have to go shopping fortnightly and I have had to pack away half of my kitchen equipment.

At one stage I thought we could fit in six bookcases but then we decided that we couldn't keep eating on the verandah the sun and mosquitoes got to us. So I am now trying to fit four rooms of living into one. Which is my conundrum how to fit a study, dinning, lounge and family room into ONE room

We love it out here I know we have made the right decision for us when I sit on the verandah watching the dc ride their bikes and have room to play cricket. When they come to me and say "Mum I'm heading down to the bush"

I'll try to post some pics on my blog soon. Just thought I'd give you all an update.



__________________
Erin
Faith Filled Days
Seven Little Australians
Back to Top View Erin's Profile Search for other posts by Erin Visit Erin's Homepage
 
Cay Gibson
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: July 16 2005
Location: Louisiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5193
Posted: Dec 29 2006 at 4:09pm | IP Logged Quote Cay Gibson

It's nice to be settled.   
I look forward to the pics.

__________________
Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
Back to Top View Cay Gibson's Profile Search for other posts by Cay Gibson Visit Cay Gibson's Homepage
 
Dawn
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: June 12 2005
Location: Massachusetts
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3191
Posted: Dec 29 2006 at 4:10pm | IP Logged Quote Dawn

Erin, I am so happy for you! Can't wait to hear (and see) more!

__________________
Dawn, mum to 3 boys
By Sun and Candlelight
The Nature Corner
Back to Top View Dawn's Profile Search for other posts by Dawn
 
Ruth
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: Nov 04 2006
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5007
Posted: Dec 29 2006 at 5:04pm | IP Logged Quote Ruth

Can't wait to see the pictures.

__________________
Ruth

mom to 7 miracles

My family blog

Loreto Rosaries
Back to Top View Ruth's Profile Search for other posts by Ruth Visit Ruth's Homepage
 
aussieannie
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: May 21 2006
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 7251
Posted: Dec 30 2006 at 12:47am | IP Logged Quote aussieannie

You have had a very interesting Christmas!    

That was great reading Erin, I am so happy for you and your family.

It must be a beautiful feeling to know you have really found your home and all your lovely dreams for the future - I know they will be blessed ones.

God Bless!

__________________
Under Her Starry Mantle
Spiritual Motherhood for Priests
Blessed with 3 boys & 3 girls!

Back to Top View aussieannie's Profile Search for other posts by aussieannie Visit aussieannie's Homepage
 
Cheryl
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star


Joined: Feb 20 2005
Location: Massachusetts
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 978
Posted: Dec 30 2006 at 2:37am | IP Logged Quote Cheryl

Thanks for the update. I look forward to the pictures too.

__________________
Cheryl
Wife to Bob ('97)
Mom to Matthew 13, Joseph 11, Sarah 10, Rachel 6, Hannah almost 4 and Mary 1
Back to Top View Cheryl's Profile Search for other posts by Cheryl Visit Cheryl's Homepage
 
Lisbet
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: Feb 07 2006
Location: Michigan
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2706
Posted: Dec 30 2006 at 6:44am | IP Logged Quote Lisbet

OH what a drama! It's so wonderful that dispite all the 'issues' you are content. I'm glad you are enjoying you new home!

__________________
Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
Back to Top View Lisbet's Profile Search for other posts by Lisbet
 
doris
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star


Joined: April 24 2006
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1103
Posted: Jan 02 2007 at 12:27pm | IP Logged Quote doris

WOW. On all fronts. (Except the cricket . Dh's best friend's wife had a baby during the Ashes. Middle name Adelaide. Dh genuinely couldn't believe it!!)

Happy settling in.


__________________
Home educating in London, UK with dd (2000) ds (2002), dd (2004), ds (2008) and dd (2011).
Frabjous Days
Back to Top View doris's Profile Search for other posts by doris
 
Erin
Forum Moderator
Forum Moderator


Joined: Feb 23 2005
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5814
Posted: Jan 20 2007 at 7:05am | IP Logged Quote Erin

Finally I managed to upload some photos for anyone who is interested.

__________________
Erin
Faith Filled Days
Seven Little Australians
Back to Top View Erin's Profile Search for other posts by Erin Visit Erin's Homepage
 
lapazfarm
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: July 21 2005
Location: Alaska
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6082
Posted: Jan 20 2007 at 11:01am | IP Logged Quote lapazfarm

Oh, WOW! I am so happy for you! What a dream come true!

__________________
Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
Back to Top View lapazfarm's Profile Search for other posts by lapazfarm Visit lapazfarm's Homepage
 
kingvozzo
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: March 28 2005
Location: Maine
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2653
Posted: Jan 20 2007 at 11:11am | IP Logged Quote kingvozzo

Erin, it's beautiful! Hope the settling in is going well!

__________________
Noreen
Wife to Ed
Mom to 4 great kids and 10 sweet ones in Our Lady's arms
Back to Top View kingvozzo's Profile Search for other posts by kingvozzo
 
Jen L.
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: Oct 18 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2148
Posted: Jan 20 2007 at 4:28pm | IP Logged Quote Jen L.

Thanks for the pictures, Erin. It's nice to see where you live and it IS BEAUTIFUL!

__________________
Jen
dh Klete,ds (8/95),dd (12/97), dd (11/00), and ^2^ in heaven
"...the best state in which to glorify God is our actual state; the best grace is that of the moment..." St. Peter Eymard
Back to Top View Jen L.'s Profile Search for other posts by Jen L.
 

Sorry, you cannot post a reply to this topic.
This forum has been locked by a forum administrator.

  [Add this topic to My Favorites] Post ReplyPost New Topic
Printable version Printable version

Forum Jump
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Hosting and Support provided by theNetSmith.com