Backyard Makeover

Another renovation nightmare - our backyard has been 'under construction' since the spring. J and I both entered in the 97.5 Walk FM backyard makeover and won a chance at the $50,000 makeover but of course, we didn't win! So, here's the story just in case there is someone out there that will feel so bad for us that they'll give us a free backyard makeover. :)

Before:

Looks good, but underneath is a leaky, dangerously located in-ground pool, no access to our yard, 3 different gradients, a rock "garden" of weeds, a collapsing awning and a rotting fence.
































What we did so far...

• We replaced the fence with a new white vinyl fence
  
• We filled in the pool because it was going to cost the same amount as getting a new one just to fix it

• We leveled the yard so that we don't have 3 different gradients with rock, grass and cement with no apparent organization of such.
• We created two retaining walls to hold dirt in place so that we could still have a back entrance into our garage and a side yard with a different gradient.

• We spread 6 yards of top soil by hand (and shovel) and then spread grass seed and watered religiously just to come up with a yard full of crab grass and crazy weeds.
• We replaced the car-port awning with a custom made awning that is higher and can withstand hurricane force winds (just in case)
  

So, what are our next steps? Not a clue. Well actually we have a slight clue but it's impossible to decide on what to do with our new yard. We'd like to extend the deck with pavers, create more outdoor seating and entertaining area, barbecue area, maybe a fire pit and room for a future hot tub. Definitely a shed for the lawn mower and gardening tools and a swing set with slide for Livvy. Lots to do... anyone have any suggestions? Please send in your comments!!!

Nonna Fina Sauce

Here's Livvy Making "Nonna Fina Sauce" with my mom and sister...



-s

It takes 9 months to make a …

Bathroom.

Yea, not what you expected right? Well in my house, it has taken over 9 months to renovate our 5X8 bathroom. It’s nothing big – just a simple tub with shower, vanity/sink and toilet but for us, we really like to think these things through. When we bought the house in 2006 we realized that the bathroom really needed an overhaul. It was promised to be done before the baby was born in 2007 and then again in 2008 we started the planning but never got around to it. However, in January 2009, we went for it. Demolition took only 3 days and we purchased all the parts and pieces immediately after. But to put those pieces together it has taken over 9 months. Now, at the end of September 2009, it’s almost done. I think we need a bathroom warming party… no, this is not an innuendo for farting in the bathroom. What I mean is like a house warming where everyone comes over to see your new house but this time it will be to see our new bathroom. However, before I start planning the party, I think we’ll try to actually finish the bathroom. So, for now, here are a few shots of the renovation from start to semi-finish…

Before:

Wonderful wood paneling on the walls, blue and pink flowers on the floor and vinyl blue and gold walls in the shower. My favorite were the two gold mirrored medicine cabinets and the globe ball light fixture with multi-sized light bulbs.











































After:

• Tile - We started out with Rialto Noce 12X12 Tile but then decided on a lighter color as the Noce was quite dark and had an orange undertone. So we picked up the Rialto Beige from Lowes. Grout isn't complete yet...
  
• Shower Fixtures - Moen Caldwell 82496CBN

As you can see from the pictures below we can't wait to use the tub... so even though it's only 75% done, Livvy jumped in last night. :)

Long Distance Parenting

 While I was away, I was able to see Livvy through the webcam.  We used Skype and it worked pretty well after I finally figured out how to not have interference between the two speakers on  my laptop.  Livvy thought I was really there.  She would tickle me and expect me to laugh and if I told her to do something she would do it as if I was there.  J was able to go take a shower a few days while I watched Livvy through the computer.  It was pretty cool.  Here's a picture of Livvy giving me a kiss.

Since I'm back home now she doesn't have to kiss a computer screen anymore but she still tries to tickle people in photos on the computer...

-s

Party at School

 Here's a picture of Livvy's birthday party at school.  She was kind of shocked that all the attention was on her but the rest of her friends had a great time munching on cupcakes.

-s

Running on Stumps

Yesterday I ran a 10k here in Sydney. Actually it was in Putney, about 20 minutes away from my hotel right on the Parramatta River. Very beautiful spot.

As Jen and I arrived I was all pumped to run the 10k instead of the 5k; thinking that it wouldn't be a problem I signed up and waited around for the start of the race. Line up began and I walked all the way to the back of the pack hoping not to get in any ones way. The runners for the 10 and 5 were starting at the same point and splitting somewhere along the way. As I looked around at every ones "tag" I noticed that all the slow folks in the back with me were only doing the 10k walk or 5k run/walk. I guess that should have been a good indication that I was out of my league but as the gun went off and I began running my confidence took over. I was very excited that the beginning of the race was down hill. A bitty two year old boy was running next to me with his dad. It was very cute. As I rounded the corner I almost ran smack into a wall... no, it wasn't a wall it was a HILL. A huge incline, almost vertical.

The original confidence was lost at that point. The little boy stopped and ran back the other way. I should have done the same but instead I kept trucking... up the long, vertical hill.

After the hill I was huffing and puffing so much that I thought I would stop but I kept going with the idea that there could never be another hill that big. Well.. as you can imagine I was wrong. 13 hills, 6 flights of stairs, 1 bush walk and 20 people directing me where to go later, I finished the race in 1:08:33. I was very proud of my self even though I had to stop and walk up a few of the ridiculous hills. During the race I made a few friends with the folks that were attempting to run as well. We had a good time making fun of ourselves and talking to the people directing the race.

After finishing the race I felt rejuvenated, ready to take on the world again. Jen and I decided to make our way to the beach and have a day in the sun. After I showered we got on the train with all intentions of going to the beach but ended up stopping to eat in the Rocks section of Sydney. We had a Kangaroo pizza and it was very good! Not gamey at all. As we walked around the historic section of Sydney, we stumbled upon a fair. Lots of shopping and walking later we decided the beach wasn't in the cards for the day. Instead, we walked a few miles to the botanical gardens to take a picture of the weirdest thing in Sydney. Yes, they support their local drug addicts in the park with sharps bins.

Then Jen tempted me to walk some more as my feet felt like they were going to fall off by telling me that we should go get ice cream. Even though I felt like i was going to walk on stumps soon we kept going. An hour of walking later we finally found real ice cream. Not gelato or shakes or stupid cup cakes. People in Australia really don't know that gelato and ice cream are different! They're crazy. I practically run to the ice cream counter to order.

When ordering, the guy asked me if I wanted low fat, low sugar or regular. I answered that I wanted full fat and full sugar please. We ate the ice cream that supposedly was organic and came from New Zealand and then bought the best juice drinks that we've ever had. Leaving the place my feet felt like they were alive again but I was still thinking to hail a cab. We get a cab, he decides he doesn't want to take credit card (even though he has the swipe machine for credit cards). So, like a clown car, the two of us get in and then right out again on the street. We're about a mile from the train station so what do we do? Yes, we walk again.

When we finally get back to the hotel I get to my room, put up my feet on 3 pillows and vow never to walk/run on stumps again.

A fun day but exhausting.

-s

Happy Birthday Livvy/ Sydney Update

It's my baby girls 2nd birthday today. I'm sad that I'm not there to celebrate but wanted to wish her a very happy birthday!!!

I've been in Sydney all week. Left on September 4th and I was originally supposed to come home on the 18th but it looks like I'll be coming home on Tuesday now (the 15th) so that's good news. I've bought her a bunch of stuff here in Australia. A pretty dress, a sweater, koala and kangaroo puppets, books, silly pens, etc. She should like it all. Can't wait to give it to her!

I miss her so much (and J too of course). I went to the Taronga Zoo today with my colleague Jennifer. My company had given us free tickets and we were excited to go. We took the train to the subway and walked to Circular Quay to catch the ferry to the zoo. Sounds complicated but it was really easy. The ferry was great. It was an unseasonably warm day so the breeze was nice and we got to see great views of the Sydney Harbor, the Harbor Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.

When we arrived at the zoo there was a cable car (kind of like a gondola) that rode us up the side of this huge hill that the zoo is perched on. On the way up we saw the new baby elephant "Luk Chai". He is very cute in an ugly sort of way!

Of course there were a ton of families at the zoo a little girl just around Livvy's age walked up to us to take a look at the pictures we had taken. She was very cute pointing at all the animals and saying their names with her Australian accent. Made me miss my girl even more though. Jen took a bunch of pictures with her camera so I'll be able to share them in a few days. Here is a shot of the Koala that I took on my iPhone...

After the zoo we went to Darling Harbor on the ferry and had some great Belgian chocolate ice cream. We walked around the harbor and bought a ton of souvenirs. Then we went back into the city to the China town area and walked around 10 miles... yea, it was a lot. We got to see a lot of stuff and on the way back on the train decided it was a Thai Noodles night. Picked up Pad Thai and went back to the hotel. I'm ready to conk out now... exhausting day but I'll wait up a few hours for J and Livvy to wake up - it's around 6:30 am right now their time.

Tomorrow I'm running my first International 10k. It's called the Ryde Bridge to Bridge 10k. Not sure if I'm going to make it but it's worth a try!

3 more days until I leave for home. I miss you all!!!

-s

Another AM Run - this time upside down

I decided to be daring and venture out of the gym this morning to do a run in the park near by my hotel. Well first things first, I can't see the park from the hotel so I look it up and it seems pretty close by. I'm wearing shorts and a tank top... it's about 50 degrees this morning. What a shock to the body! I run up the street, it's a major road so I make sure to look right instead of left (don't want to be hit by any more cars this trip). After a tremendous hill, I'm wondering what I was thinking and then see the sign for Lane Cove National Park. Looks like a nice place so I run across a 6 lane highway (they call it motorway here) and enter the park unscathed.

As I'm running it seems pretty down hill... good news, but not for the trip back I think. I begin to follow this other runner that just lapped me probably twice as I'm trying to read signs. It's cold!! I then find the trail and begin a normal pace to come face to face with a hill that looks like a 90 degree incline! What the heck! So, jogging I make it up the hill going slower than walking backwards.

Then the run begins to get fun. I see a few people on bikes that say "g'day". I make it to a turn and end up right back on that 6 lane highway... but across the street again! Wait a minute... I don't remember crossing any street or going under/over any bridges. Some how, I've miraculously done a loop right across a 6 lane highway and missed it. Well, I'm doubting that I'm across the highway so I keep running and what do you know... I end up at my hotel. Very odd. I guess that shows me to try to run in OZ!

-s

Things I've Learned in Sydney

Here's a running list of things I've learned about Sydney and Australians this most recent trip...

1. it's okay to tell someone you're gonna throw some sticks in the boot
2. great asian food is everywhere and I'm not talking about chicken and broccoli
3. tipping people is not customary
4. cabbies stop and actually let you into the car before finding out where you want to go
5. look right
6. aussies put "The" in front of sports. Example: they call it "The Tennis" or "The Cricket" instead of Tennis or Cricket.
7. we're "North Americans", "Americans" or "Yanks"
8. North Americans drive on the wrong side of the car and road
9. don't get off the train at Redfern...
10. Quay is pronounced Key
11. Beans are pretty good for breakfast
12. Starbucks is NOT good coffee
13. Outback Steakhouse is not located in the Outback
14. "Peugeot" is pronounced "prushoh"
15. casual parking doesn't mean you have to wear jeans and sneakers to park there
16. Vegemite is an acquired taste... one that i will never acquire
17. everything closes before you get out of work... except on Thursday's
18. when doing #1 use the half flush, use the full flush for #2
19. the blue mountains are red
20. to "Get On" is not to mount someone... it's to get along with someone

Olivia's Last Minute Party

Here are a few shots from the last minute 2nd birthday party. Livvy and I made a cupcake-cake and tried to make it pretty... We all had fun and were glad the weather held out.

-s

Backpack

 
 Livvy is getting big - she now wears a backpack to school to carry her towel and change of clothes.

-s