Lightening Online

Before we went away on our big trip, Farmboy and I started to discuss our plans “beyond the trip”.  We felt this was somewhat important because the trip had taken up so much of our time, energy and financial resources in the years preceeding it that to come back to “nothing” might be a bit of a shock.

Anyway, I wanted to try and put some of our thoughts into some kind of order.  At the moment they’re floating around my head.  These are in no particular order but are some of the things I would like to focus on in the next few years.

INSIDE

Paint interior walls

When we bought this house, we knew that the paint they used would be chalky (from other houses we’d seen) and our plan was to repaint it ASAP.  My nervous breakdown kind of put paid to that idea aned so it still hasn’t been done.  Well, earlier in the year I did get one toilet done but that’s as far as I have gotten.

I’m a little bit stuck at the moment trying to make my mind up on colours.  But fingers crossed, most rooms will get done next year.

Replace Curtains (and rods) in Lounge

We had trouble finding curtains we liked when we moved.  I loved the curtains at our old place which I had custom made.  Part of me wanted to bring them but the sizings weren’t quite the same and there was some conflict with the inlaws about what we would and wouldn’t leave in the house (we won’t go there).  Anyway, we bought the ones we do have as seconds and they ended up being too small for the windows.  We also bought cheap rods and they have broken. :(  So, this is high on my list of priorities.

Boys Room

This is one room where I have chosen the paint colours for.  Just need a roundtoit in order to get to it.  We’re planning on doing an AFL Crows theme (surprise, surprise).  Lleyton already has a Crows doona cover but it’s really heavy fabric and his doona always gets scrunched up inside it.  So new doona covers for both boys and new curtains (?) are also on the agenda.

Singstar Princesses Room

I’m quite happy with her room at the moment (apart from the chalky paint on the walls) but her doona cover has a huge texta stain on it and I think once I’ve done the boys room, she’s going to want hers done as well.

New Lounge Suite

I’ve always loved our current lounge suite but it was a budget one and there is virtually no stuffing left in the cushions.  I’ve tried refilling it where I can but it’s almost had it.  Which is a bit of a pity as it still looks quite nice on the outside (well, not perfect - but not bad for having seen it’s way through the baby and toddler stage of my kids!!!)

OUTSIDE

Back Verandah

We have had different ideas on what we want to do in the way of a verandah out the back.  I have partly resisted it because we want the winter sun coming into the house.  However, the hot weather we now get in Autumn is creating some very real problems (in terms of how much it heats up the house) so I have agreed to a back verandah along part of the house and then we’ll do my idea of growing grape vines along the front half of the back area.

I think Farmboy has plans to build it into an indoor/outdoor type area which would make a lovely sunroom in the winter.  That would be a more long term plan though I guess (finances depending).  It would involve installing see through or shade cloth blinds that could be opened or closed depending on the weather conditions.

My BIL has done a quote for us and this our next “job” to be done.  Hopefully early next year before the sun dips in the Northern sky.

Back Decking

We are hoping to get this done at the same time as the back verandah.  It’s kind of 2 parts of the one project really.

Partially Enclose Patio

The paving is all done under the large carport we erected a while ago and now the task of partially enclosing it to make it more useable (keeping out sun and wind when needed).

Build a Hitting Wall for the Kids

Something Farmboy has been promising Lleyton for way too many years now.  *sigh*  He’s worked out what he’s going to use (and changed his mind a number of times now).

Build a Larger Vegie garden area next to the chook pen

We’re planning to use permaculture principles and have 3 sections - 1 for eating, 1 for planting and 1 for the chooks.  I am having so much trouble with slaters in our current patch and hate using chemicals.

Build Shed for a Games Room

Our plan when we built this house was to focus on paying it off and then build a shed to be used for a games room.  It was our “pay off” for moving to a smaller house.

Last year we made the decision that if we hadn’t saved the money by the time Lleyton hit high school, that we would borrow the money to do it.  Otherwise, the kids would be reaching “leaving age” and we’d still be in the “gonna” stage.  We have another 12+ months before he hits high school.  Fingers crossed next harvest is a “bonza”. 

Pipedream: Swimming Pool

A Swimming Pool used to be a part of our very serious plans when we first moved into my in laws house.  We didn’t have the expense of building it so we were planning a few “luxuries” such as a pool.

Of course, when we chose to buy this house, we knew we were throwing dreams like that out the window.

Plus, we explained to the kids when we did the big trip that it was coming at a “cost” and we couldn’t do everything (they were complaining that some of their friends have pools so why can’t we).

We haven’t thrown our plans to put in a pool completely out the window but it’s kind of on the backburner while we see what finances are like in the next few years or so.

MONEY, MONEY, MONEY

All of these things take time and money.  I have no idea how many we will actually achieve but it feels good to have some direction.  To have things to work towards and a reason to get back to being frugal.  I’ve been a bit off the bandwagon since we got back and need to refocus.  It’s the thing I love most about frugality - the element of control you have to direct your money where you want it to go rather than having it all slip through your fingers (I know some people have forced frugality and that we are lucky not to be one of those).

I am also “officially” becoming a “working mother” next year.  After my tractor driving success, Farmboy is planning on putting in more acres.  Theoretically, that extra money we earn is for “extras” like the things I’ve mentioned above.  I say theoretically because with farming there is no guarantee of a profit (as the past 7 years have shown us).

I have one paddock in this year and that money (after expenses and tax) will be going toward the back verandah.  With some extra money Farmboy earnt last year, we’re hoping to have enough to pay for the verandah.

I’m hoping to squeeze the inside ones from our regular budget and use the extra income for the bigger outdoor projects.

TIMELINE

We haven’t really set ourselves a timeline.  The above things will happen “as we get the money to do them”.  I’m thinking it’ll likely take us 3-5 years after which time I’m hoping that any “spare” we earn can be put toward a couple of higher budget holidays (like a ski trip).  I guess we’ll have to wait and see how things go.

AM I WEIRD?

Does anyone else spend time planning and dreaming like this or am I just strange?  I’d love to hear what your plans are for your home, if you have them.