our so called life

Intentional

Welcome back to our losarmstrongs blog - Our So Called Life!

Last post was in Summer 2007, when Dan and the guys built the home office (aka Shabin). I've tried to archive the posts so only the new 2009 ones show but can't seem to work out the technical bit so until I manage that, they will remain below this one.

Why have we started blogging again?

Well, life kinda took over the last two years. I started working again part time (currently working in church office part time, and Dan was based at home designing for clients from the Shabin. The girls are growing up fast, with 1 at nursery and 1 starting school last September.

Life has started to find a rhythm again so we're resurrecting the blog.

I'm trying to be more intentional with everything I'm doing now. I read other blogs which inspire me on one hand, but also leave me feeling frustrated and guilty. I love blogs like SouleMama and I love how Amanda Soule parents her children. I've realised that she's a full-time mum and that my expectations are too high for myself and my own life and limitations, but what I've figured out from reading blogs like that, is that I just need to be more intentional with my time and activities.

For example, I flit between the dishes and my computer, and the bathroom, and the tv etc etc etc. I need to discipline myself to actually give myself the intention to spend some time on Facebook, then move on to playing with the girls, then a cup of tea, then some TV time. Have I lost you yet? I'm trying to say that I'm going to try and stop multi-tasking quite so much, sit down and take time to smell the lilac blossom!

On another note, I'm busy working on some exciting ideas, including a space for crafting, so watch this space, crafty-friends-in-Chichester!

Sarah

It's done!

The Shabin is up!

The work on the Cabin/Shed (a.k.a. Shabin) is nearly complete. Ant, Matt and Dan did an amazing job and managed to build the whole thing in 4 days flat. The first day was spent preparing the ground, then by midday on the Tuesday, they'd built up the floor and walls up to the roof. The type of construction meant that the pieces of wall just slotted together, a bit like lego, as our daughter Annie commented!

The next couple of days were spent tacking hundreds of nails into the roof tiles but amazingly the sun shone the whole week and rain did not stop play.

By Friday, the construction of the building was mainly finished, complete with internal flooring. Dan and Matt spent the final day constructing a gorgeous deck to fit under the front canopy (See pics).

Now you can see from the photos that it looks like it's always been there.

We've been away for a couple of weeks, and Matt did the electrics while we were away so we're nearly there in terms of completion - just some office furniture to buy and an internal wall to build, to split up the inside so we can store garden furniture, bikes etc.

It's amazing - well done guys!

It's here!

The Shabin arrived on time yesterday on a massive lorry from Holland. The guy operating the nifty Dutch forklift was called Pascal and he was just about the friendliest man we've ever met! He performed miracles getting the pallets off his lorry, which was parked in the next road cause it was too big for our road! As you can see from the photos, he managed to lift the pallets above the cars as he sped along the road. The forklift was even able to go sideways as it maneuvered the very long roof joists sideways on to the drive. A few of the neighbours were out looking at the goings-on but did not look convinced when we said we were just having a 'shed' delivered. Dan had been worried that it would all fit on the drive and had anticipated unpacking some of the pallets to move contents to the back garden, which would have caused problems with security and damp, but in the end it's all complete on the drive and can stay there until Monday when Dan starts building. I hope that it looks like the picture on the box when it's built! In true IKEA-style, there was even a rather large box of screws (and probably an Allen key too!). Now, just need to find the instructions.....

Phew! Phase 1 complete.

The Shabin

The arrival date of The Shabin (shed/cabin) is now set for Thursday 31st May! A massive pallet will be put on the drive, full of all the nuts/bolts/wood/roof tiles/windows/doors etc that Dan needs and then all he has to do is go ahead and build it! Rock on!