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Life updates: hello from the other side

It’s been too long! Where have I been?

Redoing the kitchen

Well, the big thing has been our renovation. The old, peeling, gross cabinets are gone, along with the annoying chipped tile benchtops and loose laminate floor. In: new everything including gas cooker, rangehood, splashback, insinkerator and a dishwasher, cabinetry and polished floors.

(Life is SO much better with the dishwasher and our glasses get so much cleaner; we’ve lived in a couple places with a dishwasher in the past and honestly this is a relationship saver.)

The optimistic hope for our kitchen reno was $10k (yeah, very optimistic given it was a total gut), with the end result being more in line with our begrudging realistic budget of $15k. And by the time we tidy up the last few odds and ends (skip bin hire, some paint, a bit of touch up tiling, that kind of thing) that’ll have crept a little closer towards $20k.

On the plus side, we also saved an absolute shit ton of money. Thanks to T’s work we saved over $3,000 alone on appliances and the like, and probably even more on other various fittings and doohickeys. He found and negotiated a crazy good price with a sparky, did all the demo and ripping things out, and roped in a couple of generous friends to help with doing the floor and gibbing/plastering.

 

A look inside our old cabinets

old cabinets behind the doors

 

The new view

new kitchen view

 

Farewelling a pet

I knew this would eventually happen. I just didn’t expect it to happen so soon. One of our hens, Helen, had to be put down. She was very sick (initially we thought she was just eggbound, and I spent a couple evenings gently bathing her with Epsom salts and trying to nurse her). But it was more than that. (Poor T, who had to make that traumatic choice at the vets.)

She had been bullying our other chicken, Betty, in the weeks prior and we’d separated them a couple of times hoping that would help. Maybe it was karma. But nonetheless, we’re terribly sad to have lost her.

Of course, we had to find another companion for Betty (and they seem to be getting along great) but I’ll never forget Helen.

 

Lying in bed

Two words: the flu.

 

So that’s me and my life in a nutshell lately. What’s new with you?

 

10 thoughts on “Life updates: hello from the other side

  • Reply Revanche @ A Gai Shan Life March 27, 2018 at 15:30

    The new view image seems to be broken! 🙁

    So sorry you’ve been laid low by the flu, I hope that’s better now?

    • Reply eemusings March 28, 2018 at 09:24

      Ugh, hopefully that’s fixed now!

      Yep, I think so … and it’s flu jab time next month so hopefully that will help coming into our actual winter!

  • Reply Ms ZiYou March 27, 2018 at 21:19

    Hope you feel better soon.

    Sorry to hear about Helen, I bet Betty is missing her.

    Like the new kitchen 🙂

  • Reply Yet Another PF Blog March 28, 2018 at 04:52

    Sorry to hear about Helen and your flu.

    Your new kitchen looks lovely. Also, I agree dishwashers are the best thing ever. That plus in-unit laundry, such time savers!

  • Reply Linda March 28, 2018 at 05:51

    Congrats on the new kitchen! A dishwasher is an amazing thing to have. It not only helps with a chore, having the dishes out of the way makes the kitchen look more tidy, which I always appreciate.

    My condolences on losing Helen. I lost several chickens over the years and it’s always a sad event. When I had to take my favorite hen, Maisie, to the vet for euthanasia, I was very upset. I’m glad that you found a good friend for Betty as chickens should never be alone.

  • Reply Lily March 28, 2018 at 19:08

    I can’t get over how beautiful those wood floors are!

    I’m sorry you lost a pet – and the flu. I’ve always wanted fresh eggs from hens, too bad our dumb laws here won’t let us keep any.

  • Reply Mao March 29, 2018 at 10:21

    Cool remodeling! I assume it is very expensive if you were to hire people to do it?

    Sorry for the hen… 🙁 it’s in a very good place now.

  • Reply Victoria Hay March 29, 2018 at 14:13

    Nice job on the kitchen. The new cabinetry is very classy-looking! That flooring is handsome, too.

    Sorry about the bird and the flu. Hope you’re feeling better soon!

  • Reply the Budget Epicurean March 30, 2018 at 08:32

    Oh no! So sad about your hen, and the flu! Life will go on, and I hope you’re on your feet again and feeling better soon. And enjoying your gorgeous new kitchen!

  • Reply Mrs. ETT April 5, 2018 at 08:20

    Sorry to hear about Helen. Losing a pet is tough – you spend more time with them than you do extended family!

    Well done for all the mucking in on your kitchen. You’ll get so much pleasure out of it, I’m sure.

    Get well soon!

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