Everyone Loves Sydney 'cept ME!

I am on Round 2 of typing this and it took me days to nearly complete it the first time and lose it...frustrating! Get your beverage of choice ready and read on...Promise all the other positives that got lost in the original version of this will be in next posting. but it's late now and I have had my wine and now my whine. Bear with me, please. The hits keep on coming! I was exploring some blogs of American moms in Sydney that I had read before we left the Pink House in the USA. One universal theme: they all loved it here. Since arriving, I have been mostly reading blogs of Aussie mums and of course, they love it here! The other American women I am friendly with seem to all LOVE it here. There you go. Me and Sydney, not so compatible. But while I am trying, Sydney keeps throwing more stuff in my face. I used to love the name Sydney, thought it cute. Not anymore! I intended to get away from "Possum Talk" today, but allow me a brief update. The Possum Man still has not come to make the repairs. The homeowners have been here and the wife is in denial of their existence despite every person I am talking to in the realty, possum profession, pest control and the internet expertise I have gathered confirming it is possums, indeed. Further, there are rats. Somehow, my internet expertise trumps her living here for years... My friends, my brain is blocking that as I am protecting myself from the asylum, as I do have little ones that I need to be here for...It has been raining a lot which prevents someone from coming to do the nighttime roof work. But I called yesterday with no call back and called today. Brooke called me back and seemed shocked that they had not come out. I have no clue how they run their business...and even went so far as stating that she felt there were several nights that would have been fine. Still no tech called today or came tonight... My Facebook friends are already aware that in this autumn rain we have experienced, I detected a strange looking "Spider" on the IKEA crib that is taking up space since our furniture arrived, in the baby's room. I took its picture and blew it up and then smashed it. It was a freaking SCORPION. Thanks, for that Sydney. In my sons room, no less. I took great pride in showing the owners that picture. I guess I should be grateful that a.) it wasn't on the crib he sleeps in b) I haven't spied anymore c.) they only cause PAIN for 6 or more hours but not DEATH. Can you imagine that with a baby or toddler? That's not all. We have mold or "MOULD" as they spell it here in Australia. I had noticed the discoloration of a wall in our room. The Man thought it was nothing. The Possum Man assured me that it wasn't Possum Pee because that is thick and syrupy in case you wanted to know. He thought that it looked like water damage. Our master bedroom is kind of dark. It is quite infrequently that I even put the curtains up because it is in the front of the house close to the street and I am in there to dress, deposit laundry and sleep. But yesterday, I was putting on fresh sheets and wiping the dust off the bed frame when I noted that behind the bed and another wall altogether was quite messed up. Took a photo, sent to The Man at work. Says call. I knew this was going to be a problem, but I was really hoping to resolve possum issues before I brought another issue to their attention. We had previosuly talked to the owners about the smell of moisture in the bedrooms and we purchased a dehumidifier that we rotate between the rooms. They offered to pay for it and thought it was due to so much unusual rain this summer. Fair enough. We declined payment. We have lived in an old house before. This is water damage due to the house malfunctioning and likely the damn roof... Rain has been regular here in Aus since we arrived. which is what it has done. Our back bedroom in the Fan had some moisture issues,too. Not like this, though. The closet in the baby's room was also emitting an odor and its door does not stay closed (just how some old things are, I get that). It has water spots on the ceiling, which is much lower than the room ceiling) and I prop a Kirkland's baby wipe box against it to keep it shut. I reluctantly call the realtors office and the Property Manager has just left, but the owner answered. She asks to come by to take a look later in the day. Approved. What happens next I can't even state without steam emitting from my pores... and I am so frustrated that I am one of those people who needs processing time. I wanted to call her back and get my response in. She blamed it on us. That I am not opening windows enough and running the fans. Helloooo, it is FALL and chilly. It has been raining all SUMMER long. I do not leave windows open while we are sleeping, despite no air conditioning in the house, nor would I leave windows opened in the front of the house when I am in the back of the house LIVING life. I know that is a little nutty, but that is a whole different topic. They are constructing noisily next door and just outside Huckleberry's window is the carport for that house where they cut wood all day long. So no, I don't open his windows to the mess and noise. If this were a necessary part of maintaining a home here in Sydney, one would think it would be instructed at the beginning before mold took over our room. UGHHH! Feel like going postal. When I use the washer and dryer I must open the window and run the fan. It's nuts. I do it, or the walls get coated with moisture as has happened, on the occasion that I forgot that routine like I am some kind of American who has a vented dryer and a washer and dryer that function so well I could cry...I can't believe it, but I miss my appliances,too. Seriously. The realtor told me to clean it. I said, "With bleach?" and I was thinking, "Get someone out here to clean this. We're paying out the wazz to be here and I didn't create this problem". Oil of clove was her answer. But if the problem is deeper than the surface as it likely is, since it came from somewhere, likely the exterior of the house, how is this going to help or be a permanent solution? Dunno. Haven't done it yet. I am VERY aggravated as this affects the air we all breathe. I have babies and an ASTHMATIC husband and both of us have ALLERGIES and ANYONE is in danger with MOLD for God's Sake. The hubs and I are going to put a bunch of stuff in writing this weekend and get some photos of this mold and perhaps treat it by following her advice, but I think I want an expert. I think I want out of this house. We were thinking it might be easier to just stay here for another year if they renew our lease. Certainly cheaper. They wanted a two year lease. Thank God, The Man, negotiated one with an option. This mold issue takes the cake and putting it on me...maddening. In case you have forgotten, we are in a lovely suburb of Sydney. Charming. Our home was listed for sale for over 1 million dollars (and it is about the size of our first level in Richmond, I'd guesstimate). It is 5km from the Central Business District of Sydney. The Man thinks you, dear readers, may think we are leasing in a less than desirable neighborhood in a dump. Whatever you think, we are paying top dollar to live in a cute older house in a desirable suburb in one of the best school districts (not that we need that yet)and it was the best house available to us in our price range at the time. It did not have icky, stained carpets or room configurations where my kids would be all on different levels (our Chicago friends chose that one, but way impractical for us. Our little people are still waking up wanting mama at all hours) nor doors from every bedroom to the outside (that really creeps me out). As far as set up, I'm cool with our layout especially for bedrooms. Would love a more connected kitchen and living area like we had at home, but this is doable. I give you this just to give you some perspective... Side note: Chicago has fabulous furnishings, brought everything with her and house looks great. She does not even know about this blog so I am not buttering her up. The owners had friends living in it and it just wasn't as appealing as it looks with the touch Jess brought to it. So, whaddya think peeps? What would you do if you were renting a place with so many problems? Got any interesting house rental/ownership stories to distract me from my own life? Do tell! XO Valerie P.S. I promise to accentuate the positive next post and give you all the scoop on what we have been doing outside of the house. We've been exploring a bit.

P-o-s...possums!

P is for the possum that looked at me.
O is for the outrage that is inside of me.
S is for the skibbies they give to me.
S is for this is living in Sydney!
O is for ordinary, but not to me...
M is for marsupial, one of Aussies many.
P-O-S you know what that stands for,
S-O-M stay over me, and don't come down further!

So another week begins and we continue to cohabit with the possums as it has been too rainy for The Possum Man to come do the roof work at night. I can bend my mind around the possums, at least they are just here to sleep and I hear them sneaking in like teenagers at 315, 430 and sometimes 5 something each morning.

It's the rats..Drat. I honestly have put myself on a mental block on that one because it will just not be good if I go there. The roof work will help with both issues, thankfully.

The owners came last Thursday as the wife was insistent she wanted to see what was going on in the attic for herself. I should have said no. For whatever reason she thinks she can detect them and she thinks she would see them. But they hide and as I may have already mentioned, it is not likely for them to be seen, even by the expert. I am an internet possum expert and it didn't take much to be more schooled on possums than soemone who has lived here for some time and seems not to mind that they are living in her home. Let me try to make a long story short...

The owners are leaving and I am walking them out. John looks up to this spot on the front of the house where a wood shingle is askew and states, "That wasn't a rat!" I do believe he believes me, but not the wife. Even though their own exterminator would not come based on my description, the property manager, The Possum Man staff, my inter webs research all pretty much concur that what I hear are possums. Could they be using our rooftop as a landing strip and lift off? Yes! But seems they are inside,too. I can't control their outdoor shenanigans and really don't care about it, but the indoor stuff must end. Soon. Very soon!

FYI-
-Possums are protected in New South Wales and a fine of up to $5000 is given if you are caught killing or relocating them.
When relocating, these terrorial marsupials do not allow the other possums to live in their 'hood. They usually die in a short period of time. Ummm...not sure if I care. We are not supposed to share a house with a possum or possum family, whatever it may be.
-NSW suggests providing "possum boxes" for them to live in in a tree in your yard rather than in your roof. I had intended to state to the owners that they could erect one if they wished but I never sent that email after they found out from the realty that I called crying and upset. Hellooooo??? Anyone? This has been weeks. I have been wayyy patient, IMO!!
-Although we are a mere 5k from the Central Business District(CBD) we have much Bush land around us and we are near Lane Cove River and Park.
-Don't forget we saw the biggest bats ever in the city, Hyde Park, and sleeping in the neighboring Botanical Garden by day. Also, rats in the evening. Big, nasty ones.
-One good thing is rabies does not exist in Australia, thus the reason they are stringent in pet quarantine when bringing your pet to live with you...Dear Zeus would never have survived all that...but I have heard of someone borrowing their neighbours dog to yap it up in the attic by day to scare them away every 3 months or so. Also, leaving a light on in the attic and placing moth balls inside.
-Driving around looking at houses, it seems we are unique in not having a tile roof. Though the spot in front that the owner saw (I had already discovered it) is just one entry point...


P.S. Parenting and blogging is not recommended simultaneously. Muffin hit buttons several times and sent this to publish several times while it was being drafted. My apologies. I got a few free minutes when I gave them both cookies and milk put Huckleberry in his saucer and put on an episode of Sesame Street. Parenting at its finest, indeed.

Poss-um-bilities

The Possum Story Part II

Special thanks to my mom and sisters that called and when I had to put the possum stuff into words, I broke down and cried. Sorry. Didn't know those tears were waiting there for you. Some of you got this by email but the end is added onto so fast forward:) I did not know critters would freak me out so much, but I do know, that this is Australia, baby. I also know, I never really went camping before and suspect I probably should stick to that...

Here we go:

Hey people,

Part A

I called the pest control guy myself, because this erradication process was not speedy enough for me! Supposedly has been trying to reach me. Now that the realty finally gave me the info. to contact him, I did. I do think I've been in every evening...He is the same guy that did spraying outside and roach stuff but I did not know this was the guy until today when the realty finally gave me his number. He calls back and says he deals with rats but not possums...like I really know what the hell it is...I don't want it to be anything!! Oh and he informs me that they have had rats in the past. Nice. He doesn't think it's rats. I guess based on my description. Stampede over my head...

Part B

Last week the son in law of the owners, Niko, was here dealing with some wood delivered to repair the fence...I'm out in the driveway talking to him and look up...and what do i see? A freaking possum looking down at me from the top of the roof. So glad he saw it....so he can tell his in laws. That possum seriously stared for a while. Umm yeah and they are supposed to be nocturnal.

Part C

I call realty after pest guy calls at 5 of 5 and tells me he's not the man for the job, I need "The Possum Man". Yes, this is the name of the BIDNESS. Asks me to apologize to realtor and it is Thurs. Australia is in full blown vacay and party mode for the three week Easter break for schools and Good Friday, Holy Monday long weekend for the rest.) Stuff shuts down here on Good Friday. Remember we live in way back land...not just outback.. I called with my report on MONDAY!

Get voicemail and leave a sweet sounding message expressing my disappointment that this is taking so long and understand it is now a holiday but I want this resolved by the beginning of the next week...and though I don't sound upset..I am really not happy about this...didn't expect to hear back so soon, but Bernadette(Irish married to Aussie and principal of realty,  but not the prop. Manager and not living in Sydney so long herself I get the impression) calls  me.

Should have known all along it was the freaking property owners and their reluctance...and insistence that they have had rats before but not possums...(yeh, right) and I've spoken to Liz the owner on two occasions this week, she never asked about it or anything so I didn't either since I decided to handle business with the realty as I don't know there travel schedule and Liz particularly seems annoyed by my complaints regarding the cockroaches. But she knew I called both times we talked.

You can see where the shingle has been moved, right in front of the house nearest my bedroom...I dont think they are always in there, but they have been visiting, maybe it's a love shack or a hotel...but they 've been here. And it's possible they are just on the roof and not under it. Oh, now I wish!

So this is what she tells me, the possum man will come and look at the roof and inspect the point of entry. He will be able to tell if it is possum from the fur and smell. Then he will come back at 1000 at night and cover the hole so that they can't reenter. Since they are supposedly nocturnal. Yah, that little guy today wasn't so damn nocturnal. Wide awake having a staring contest with me. The ones I heard Sunday morning...were they sneaking in or out??? Possibly on top of the roof...they say they use the rooftops as landing strips as they run from tree to tree. They sound like people running.

All of this, my friends, is typical Sydney.

Let you all know who we share this charming home with...soon as I know for sure"(

Part D

Tuesday comes and no call for me. I talked to realty they sent an email that The Possum Man will be in touch. I think I am on week 3 and this has been going on for a while I was just too ignorant or in need of it to not to be something so I wouldn't lose my mind or some combination of these two...Tuesday goes. Today I call him. Leave a message. Email realty and tell them no word from the Possum Man yet. PM office calls. Email realty that we are on schedule for tomorrow. Alleluia. She confirms for me that they do have multiple homes so I am right, they aren't here all the time. Lovely. Multiple homeowners, real estate moguls...offers. Get outta my heaaaddd, I mean house.


P.S. My Sanity

It indeed was getting scary. But I feel better since I convinced myself they weren't permanent residents and I was right. Also, they just removed the old roof next door and replaced it with new to match the new addition. So they may have house hopped for a bit. Some days are better than others. I am trying to move my mind into a more positive direction, this is once in a lifetime, one day we will laugh about it, right? Or at the very least, this too shall pass.

So glad to know that my bionic ears detected them a while ago and that I've heard it a few times, but not everyday or night. I am going to be okay. Maybe I can catch a break on the critters for the fall. I never knew I was so skittish, and SOMEONE thinks I may be overblowing all of this...but I am just giving it to you the way it is being experienced by me. So what if I am a big baby. I am not just thinking of me but my children. So there!

The Baby's First Birthday!

Started this Before Huckleberry's Bday...Finished it After...



I can hardly believe that this baby of mine is one or that he is celebrating his first bday in Australia!

F.S.M. You are so loved. You are the sweetest baby. I love you so much!

Some things I just adore about the little boy:

When he does the little satisfied happy giggle when I pick him up from his crib. He doesn't do it as much as he used to these days, so I especially love it when he does.

His adventure. He just enjoys crawl-scooting everywhere and though he has two toys to help him learn to walk by pushing..he has chosen to use a children's chair, that goes at his pace and doesn't get away from him like those wheeled things they design for kids. He is so smart! Oh and recently seems to have gotten a real crawl going though still does the army crawl at times.

When he just starts dancing to music and humming along to it. Just puts a little song in my heart. Love it, love it, love it.

When he screams DADA happily when The Man comes home from work.

When he gives kisses. To me, big "stista's" baby dolls..

He is a handful, my favorite being that lovely big leg...but it is nearly an Olympic event to change his diaper or his clothes anymore and I have to do most of it while he is standing. BUSY!!!

That he SCREAMS not so happily when I'm not getting it on his plate fast enough...and sometimes butts his head on the high chair...well the second part I really don't like...but wanted ya'll to get the full picture of the little fella in action.


Can't wait till he has his ice cream and cake.

Happy Birthday, beautiful boy. You are a treasure beyond measure.



The After

He loved his bday. He started by waking up at 4 am! So glad we had some friends celebrate with us on his real bday. With the holiday coming and my recent overwhelmedness (is that a word?...it is now!) We had everyone just for dessert. H-berry was coming off a cold and kinda sedate but clearly loved his cake. Will try to add pics later. We had a cheese platter to munch on, booze for adults, bday cake they called sponge cake, not that good, a pavlova and ice cream. All of the kids had fun and the adults seemed to have fun,too. I felt happy to have people here to help us celebrate though I didn't have many real conversations...as can be hard when you are trying to play hostess even at the simplest affair and believe me this was simple and The Man did well at tending the bar and then found someone who had some shared musical taste and he was lost to us:)

We asked for no presents but both families brought him something, we got him a race track and GiGi and Pop-Pop and Grandma and Bo had presents here. He still has one to unwrap and two that we haven't taken out of the boxes yet. The Man is going to die as this play land keeps expanding. Oh well, they have a grand time playing and they are home to play with the stuff.

Bittersweet that my baby is getting grown, on the cusp of walking and talking...jabbers so much! Happy Birthday, dear boy, ONE is going to be so much fun!

Stuck In Sydney, Australia Song!

It's been a while. I keep saying I am going to blog once a week and I should, it would be a great outlet for me...

So here is a little jingle I wrote just to give you some sense of my ever slipping sanity....in the tune of Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison.(Sorry JC, RIP) Sing along. It'll be more fun and maybe I can have company in the loony bin. Here we go. 1. 2. 1.2.3!

I hear the cockroaches coming..
They're going clickety clack
And they are making me so crazy
AMERICA might not let me back...
Oh I am stuck in Australia
How overrated is Sydney...
'cause if I see one more roach on the counter
or even on the floor,
I might have to make a dash out
of this overpriced houses door...

When I was just a little girl
I loved my koala bear
I thought Australia would be so fun
But there's cockroaches everywhere
And if that weren't enough to put me over the edge
I may never get over that spider, the big huntsman...
But at least he's come back no more
Australia has it's beauty and its laid back-ness, but ain't nothing in the world like t he great U-S!

Well you think you've heard it all from me
But I am not done, 'cause once I start pulling myself together
Along comes something new...
Got another critter to add to my list, I thinks its possums!
I heard these feet a running some time ago.
I thought the house next door was being robbed and it was hoodlums, you know.
I've heard it a few times. I just couldn't accept it, alright,
That it might be those damn creatures of the night.

We're living where it's supposed to be nice to be living
I can hardly believe its true
Because no one in America would have to think this one through!
These critters are what they are, we are all living things....but some of these darn critters should not live in your house with you
Here we are in Sydney, Australia
And I want to go away.

A lizard called a skink,
we now have had a few.
Didn't bother me much because they were lost, I knew.
But when one scurried on my nightstand
My head almost blew
It scared the daylights out of me, wasn't expecting something to move.
Oh, if I can't make it in Sydney ,Australia
Maybe we can come and live with YOU!