Saturday, September 23, 2017

Update and new blog

Well...it has been a while hasn't it?

A full 6 years it would appear since I've updated this. Well, in a nutshell, we got the insurance, we knocked down both the original house and the granny flat (boo) and ended up subdividing the block and building a (very high) house on one of the blocks. We sold the other block and have been living happily in the house now for almost five years.

Despite what we went through, it's been a really, really happy time. You can read all about our journey on my other blog - www.karinashouseproject.com .

Monday, October 17, 2011

Granny Flat Update



I noticed I still get a heap of hits on this blog, even though I haven't updated it for over 10 months, so here's the latest. We are STILL currently being processed by the insurers. They have been very good, it's just with the number of disasters in Queensland this year, getting quotes and specialists takes a long, long time. Since January, I think I've researched and learnt everything about the insurance and building industry than I ever thought I would. It's been a great learning experience, if nothing else, but things are starting to get a little frustrating.

On a positive note though, despite the timeframe, I'm in no doubt that in the end I will get absolutely everything I'm entitled to within the cover of the policy. In fact I was in a position to settle in late February, which I rejected as I didn't think it would adequately cover the rebuilding to the standard that the home was pre-flood. Instead I engaged a number of consultants and specialists (at my own expense) for a second opinion. This has been accepted by the insurers and they have reimbursed the cost of the specialists. So everything is going as well as it could.

Will try and post updates more often.  In the meantime, any comments/advice on the rebuilding process would be greatly appreciated....just DM me on Twitter.

Monday, January 17, 2011

The aftermath



It was two full days before we could even access the house. The backyard was still flooded and three quarters of the state had been declared a disaster zone. People were returning to their homes to heartbreak and devastation.

Our street was littered with people and cars dragging flood-soaked precious possessions and family heirlooms out of their homes and tossing them onto the street like the weekly garbage. It was a heartbreaking sight. I ran into the lady who lives two door downs. Our kids went to school together and she had only popped around the week before with a carton of fresh eggs from her chickens. "How are you?" I said...and she just burst into tears. There was nothing I could do but give her a hug. I don't think any words could have comforted her.

The stench was unbearable. A cross between a public toilet block at a chilli festival and rotting coleslaw that had been fermenting in a hot car for a week, the putrid blend made the task of cleaning up all the more difficult.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

The Great Flood of 2011 claims the Granny Flat



In January 2011, South East Queensland experienced the full force of Mother Nature when a series of floods hit the state, claiming 35 lives and destroying thousands of homes.

On the 13th January, my little home, which I loved and had only owned for a little over a year, was inundated almost to the ceiling. Everything inside and out was destroyed by the floodwaters with everything drenched in a filthy toxic soup of stormwater, sewerage and god knows what else.

We had evacuated the day before, only taking a few important things like photos albums, passports and laptops. We knew there was water coming, but I thought it might just reach the floorboards, cutting off our power, so I didn't want to be trapped there while the power was off. I would never have imagined the water would reach as high as it did.

This photo was taken by my bestie Cara at around 9am the morning of the flood, a full 18 hours before the peak. We were cut off from that side of town as we were staying with Graham. Cara sent the photos via phone...it was devastating to download them. We thought perhaps by some miracle we may have been spared. We were wrong.

The Granny Flat also fell victim. Luckily, I guess, there was nothing in it, so damage is minimal. All plans are on hold though...but don't despair...we will be back :-) .

Friday, December 31, 2010

Painting begins...


We finally started painting the granny flat...on New Year's Eve of all days. We just had to bit the bullet and do it. I was keen on the whitest of whites to match the trimmings on the house, but luckily Graham convinced me to go off white. It would have ended up looking like a beacon otherwise and burnt your eyes to look at it in the midday sun.



Painting is a hideous task at the best of times and this wasn't really any different. It didn't take as long as we thought it would. Josh decided he wanted to stay home instead of going to his Dad's and so we had an extra pair of hands.



It's come up an absolute treat. Clappy hands all round.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

The Side Garden

Progress on the granny flat has come to a screaming halt while I wait for some money from my tax return to come through. In the meantime though, we've been working on the garden.

When we bought the house, the garden was (and still is) a completely blank canvas.  Aside from a courtyard at the front, the garden is bare.  A large area has softfall in it, and a sandpit, but no garden beds or plants.  The plan is for a French Provincial, cottage style garden in white. I plan to put a fragrant garden, with gardenias, jasmine, magnolias, roses and anything else with white flowers.  Sadly...I get very excited by this!



This is the side of the house.  We'll put garden beds either side of the gate and a border of bricks using the pile of bricks left by the previous owners.  We set up a stringline, Josh sprayed the line and we dug up the trench for the border...by hand. Trying to save money sucks.  I'm pretty sure we could have hired a dingo for about $300 and done the whole backyard.  


It took us four hours to do this and every muscle in my body is aching.  But we're happy with it.  Next we'll dig up the other side, and then, with trial and error, work out how to mortar in a brick border.  Stay tuned.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Got a handle on it!



Finally found a handle that fits with the lock that's on there. It's a Gainsborough, same brand as the other ones, but slightly more modern and slimline.  That's it now for a while on the Granny Flat, until I get the money together for Stage 2.