our so called life

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!

Groundwork

You will remember me posting a few weeks ago about the office that Dan is building at the bottom of our garden. The parts will arrive at the end of May so work began in earnest last weekend to clear the part of the garden where the veranda/decking will sit. We had to move the girls wendy house and clear 2 borders of shrubs, soil and weeds. Phew! hot work but we managed it. Here are some photos.

Let the running commence

[S] A couple of weeks ago I started running three times a week with a friend in the early mornings, before man, children or any sane people are awake! In an attempt to get fit again after the kids, I'm also starting Pilates again tonight. I'll report back on my progress - at least the running seems slightly easier now than it did the first couple of times!

Nursery

Grace started nursery this week. She's only going one morning a week but she's loving it. The start of a new era.

I've also planted brocolli, lettuce, sweet peas, green beans, rhubarb and herbs in the garden so we're watering and watching them grow. Just got to watch out for those slugs now - we're trying to be green and not use slug pellets so we'll see how long they last before they are munched!

Easter Antics

We've really enjoyed the amazing Spring weather and been out and about lots this holiday. Friday we went to Shoreham to catch up with our old friends the Hatchers, scoff their brownies. and walk by the sea. Saturday morning was spent at the Children on the Edge annual Easter Egg hunt in Priory Park, and afternoon we put the children to work with us in the garden. Sunday started early, with Dan taking a 6.30am sail from Chidham to East Head, Wittering with some friends, and then I took the girls to the beach at 8.30am to meet up with them all for bacon butties on the beach for breakfast. We remembered what Jesus did over 2000 years ago on that day when he rose from the dead. The weather was amazing, although not for sailing - it was a flat as a millpond! Then we all went to church to celebrate Easter Day, then back to CYE sailing centre for football, picnic and lounging around, until another sail was suggested as the wind had picked up. I went out with Annie and a few others in a bigger boat called Peter and had a lovely sail around the inlet. It was kinda low wind though so not much action but Annie enjoyed it - it brought back memories for me.

Then Monday was spent with some more friends chilling in our garden with one of Dan's famous and delicious BBQ's - first of many this year.

Spring has sprung

Easter bonnets and Spring sunshine yesterday at Annie's nursery Egg Rolling and Bonnet parade. Very Cute. Parents were advised to bring in a decorated Easter Bonnet and a painted hard-boiled egg. We dropped Annie off at 9am then I had to return at 10am to watch the parade and video the egg-rollling down a little hillock in the nursery garden! It was kinda cheesy but kinda sweet at the same time. I guess this is the start of those proud parent moments where I will have to get used to seeing my child being overly proud of doing something that really is quite silly, and I have to get my 'wooo yeah, go Annie' voice ready. She thought it was hilarious. All the parents then stayed on for Hot X buns and a cuppa. This is the last week of term before Easter Hols. Annie's friend Gregory and his mum have invited us over for a play date during Easter which will help pass the time. The only thing I've got to work out now is how to explain Jesus amongst all the Easter bunny references!

Two years old

Happy birthday Grace! Two years old 5th February 2007.

Happy New Year!

[S] Life has been truly hectic since October.

Lowlights:

Sadly I recently suffered a miscarriage of a pregnancy. So, having got over the excitement of the unexpected news, I then had to endure the horribleness of the miscarriage and the emotional upheaval of that. It really has reminded us to count our blessings and daily we remember what lovely healthy daughters we have -- God has truly blessed us.

Both of us being really busy has also been quite stressful. I've now given up my part-time job so that I can enjoy some more leisure time. Dan's been super busy with his business which is great but on the down-side, super stressful at times too.

Highlights:

Christmas Holidays, weekends away, a hilarious New Year's Eve with friends, visits to/from family and 2 amazing weddings of dear friends Carl/Sophie and Ant/Ruth have all contributed to a hectic but lovely few months.

I've posted a few new photos in the albums and one of our NYR is to update our blog more often [I bet everyone says that ;-) ].