An Interest in Pinterest

I have awoken to a love of design that I didn't even know I had...

Pinterest! Is an amazing site that allows people to post their own photographs of their own designs or share others found through the Internet. I've been having many "Why didn't I think of that" moments recently but I'm also feeling truly inspired.

A friend of mine had mentioned this site to me over 6 months ago but I didn't get the big deal at the time. But just last week my curiosity got the better of me and now I'm hooked. If you're looking for ideas whether its decorating a room, a crochet pattern, or something inspirational like a stone path in Ireland...Pinterest has it.

From gardening to photography, from cars to baby rooms, if you're looking to be inspired, go check out Pinterest...

My current love of Kitchen designs
might have a little something to do with my "career" plans coming up in a few months.

I seem to have a thing for rustic yet very useful design.

So this is what Organization looks like? :)






















Happy Pinteresting!

The Adelaide Hills

It is such a beautiful place to live. We feel so blessed now being able to call this our home. As we drive down country streets surrounded by flowing green Vineyards and gaze upon classic country homemade signs advertising local family owned Orchards full of Raspberries, Strawberries, Cherries and Apples...I wonder how it is, that we of all people came to be so blessed. 

Yes I know that we worked really hard to get here and I know we prayed a lot, went without and tried our hardest to give our children what we felt was and is a better place to grow up, but it just doesn't feel real yet. This lovely country community we now reside in is even better than we could have imagined. I always wanted to live in a town with "a main street" where you could find all your local shops...no Walmart or Costco here, but there is a butcher a few bakers and while there is no candle stick maker there is a candle shop. I walk down the street and I start to know the people I say "Hello" to as I walk our children to school and back everyday. Where there are 4 distinct seasons, cows and sheep roaming green pastures and a real community feeling among everyone. Gorgeous little heritage towns like Hahndorf and Lobethal to the bigger town of Mount Barker, we really have it all right here.

The Ocean is only 40 minutes away (much to my hubby's delight) and Adelaide with all the fancy shops, that I won't admit to liking - wink wink- is only 35 minutes away. We really love where we are and for the first time in my entire adult life I can actually taste a real chance of settling down on our own Hobby Farm full of sheep, cattle and chickens some day. With weeping willow trees dancing over geese filled ponds and our children running around with smiles on their faces...ok so they already to that, but you get my point.

Australia

I now live in AUSTRALIA... 

Words I've waited years to be able to say are now very true. It's beautiful here. The weather is warm with a constant ocean breeze. There are Palm trees and Eucalyptus trees everywhere with a colourful variety of birds on display. While the people are just as warm and friendly as the weather. Though I could do without the Cockatoos waking me up every morning at 5am.

My favorite Aussie bird, the Pink Gala.

From previous post you know this journey has taken it’s time and we’ve not been without our struggles to get here...but we’re here now.

Our two precious Alaskan Malamutes are currently being held prisoner in Quarantine. A standard procedure as all animals entering the country require a minimum 30 days Quarantine. I know they are being well looked after and the staff has been exceptionally wonderful in dealing with my worrisome calls regarding their well being and if their eating, along with all the normal (well I think so) Mommy concerns I have for our beloved family pets. 

Our darling girls Myshka & Willow

There is a long list of things to do once one arrives in Australia. The Department of Immigration even sends you this list once you’ve been granted a Visa, though I think they forgot a few things like the REAL first thing to do is to establish some kind of an address, so that you can then get your mail or post delivered. There are also the basic communications such as a mobile phone. Opening a bank account (because EVERYTHING here is direct deposit, I’ll touch on that in a few), registering for Medicare (Australia’s free/low cost health care system) as well as Centrelink and of course applying for one’s Tax File Number. Oh and of course let the State of South Australia know that yes we’re here and where we are, since they were kind enough to sponsor us...it’s also mandatory for the next two years lol.

We are currently awaiting Tax File Numbers so we can go to work, it could take a few weeks as the Dept of Taxation here will verify that we’re legal with DIAC. If we start work prior to receiving our number or fail to give it to our employer then they can take 46% of our income and put us in the highest tax bracket...ouch! So in the mean time we’re camping at a Caravan park soaking up the sun, enjoying the local beaches and exploring the vineyards and hills and otherwise getting a good feel for our new surroundings.

So as I mentioned, everything here, as far as the money you get, goes through the bank. When you open an account the bank automatically gives you credit slips to give to your new employer with all of your direct deposit information on it, as far as we’ve learned everyone’s check/salary gets direct deposited. Medicare also likes this information in case you overpay for any service that may or may not be covered initially, then they can reimburse you. Centrelink, which is a very broad ranged system that covers many different services from Social Security payments, to the Baby bonus also wants your bank info because, you guessed it, they will direct deposit any and all payments. I guess all in all it really does make sense but it’s weird for me to give out such (what I consider) private information. Guess that just means it's time to adjust.

It's a little funny, since we were here four years ago (almost to the day), our youngest child Liam who was only 18 months old our first trip, has no memory of the beach. So when we finally stopped to play at the first beach we saw, it was like his very first time. He loves the beach now and it's so funny to watch him have all of his "first" experiences over again. Almost as if it's cheating for us getting to do it all over again with him :)

The kids surprisingly don't miss Alaska at all, well except for Liam as it's really the only home he's ever known. But he said he does prefer the sand over the snow, so I suppose he'll adjust in time. But while we don't miss Alaska, we do miss our friends. That was the hardest thing I think I've ever done was saying a very tearful goodbye to my beloved Best friend Aimee and her beautiful family. Though I know we will see each other again for visits and Skype, I still miss her terribly.

Anyway we’ve really enjoyed our journey so far, and we know it’s only beginning... 


And remember

I generally don't look this bummy but when a Mom of 6 travels 1,000km down the Great Ocean Rd in 2 days, the beauty routine goes right out the window!!

Making the best of it...

Well, I must admit I really hate the way the economy effects my family from time to time, as I'm sure many of other American families in these tough and miserable economic times do as well. My husband has been laid off for the 4th (yes you read correctly, FOURTH) time in 3 years. My husband is by no means a slacker or someone who simply likes to laze around day in and day out, so being laid off again isn't exactly a vacation. Like many of hard working people out there, my husband has been working since the age of 15. He's the type of man who likes to stay busy and productive.

Now as everyone knows we've kind of been "a little" busy with an upcoming move to Australia. We were originally going to ship belongings and save up a ton of money...now we are faced with the further evidence of a lack of work and realization that we can either stay here and "struggle" and eat away our savings OR sell it all and go now. We know there is work for my husband. The economy is strong in OZ and his field of Construction seems to be booming, especially in the area we are heading to.

This wasn't what we had intended as we were planning on going by the end of the year, not the end of next month, but really what choice do we have?

Now fortunately we have settled on a great shipper and are still planning on taking about 1,500 pounds worth of belongings...ever wonder how much Cast Iron and Stoneware weighs... eek!

Things have surely been busy here but we're absolutely fine with that. It just means we're getting closer!! Organizing and preparing belongings for shipping, finishing up the "Motorhome Makeover" to get it ready to sell, setting up the final test and exams for the dogs and of course trying to keep up with homeschooling our kids.

I'm ever grateful to our oldest who graduated High School herself this past May. She has really helped out with keeping the kids on some kind of schedule in all of this craziness.

All in all we are all incredibly excited for what the next month holds in store for our family!