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May You Have Your Own Aha Moment With God This Easter

By
Rebecca Senyard
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2
May you have your own aha moment this easter

I was captured by the character of Jamie Fraser in Outlander during the Season One episode of ‘The Devil’s Mark’.

If you have no idea what TV show I’m talking about, you can read about it here, and you may like to binge fest this Easter weekend on Netflix to catch up with those of us that are big fans of the show. (Also I will warn you, if you’ve never watched the show, I have disclosed some parts of season one for the purpose of this Easter post.)

Usually I can tell you where in a story I come to like a character. Sometimes it can take one episode or one chapter and other times it can take a fair few. It took a few episodes for me to see the pull of Jamie’s character in Outlander. I couldn’t understand the hype from those that were Jamie fans.

But there was one particular scene in the TV series that was a turning point for me as I got to understand Jamie’s heart. It was his ‘aha moment’ immediately after his new wife’s confession that had me join the thousands of women worldwide who crush (is that the right word?) on the curly, red-haired Scotsman.

The series of books and now popular TV series is based on the simple story of a combat nurse called Claire Randall who in 1945 finds herself transported back to the Scotland of 1743. She unexpectedly travels through stones while on a second honeymoon with her husband Frank in Scotland. The story develops as we follow Claire in her attempts to get herself back to her time. But a series of events finds her marrying a highland warrior, Jamie Fraser, to save her life.

The turning point for my fixation on Jamie Fraser was immediately after he rescued Claire from being beaten for being a tried as a witch in court. It was the moment in the woods where Claire told her husband her ‘witch’s mark’, on her upper arm, was a scar from her small pox vaccination which she had received from the future. When Jamie heard about where Claire had come from, he not only believed her, he showed remorse as he realised he had punished Claire for disobeying him, when she had been trying to get back to her own time. Once he realised his mistake, he was upset and apologetic for hitting her.

Claire and Jamie Outlander

Claire consoled her husband, and tearfully explained he wasn’t to have known what she had just told him.

But Jamie still felt the weight of his actions. He had hit his innocent wife, and his reaction after realizing his error was the moment I jumped onto team Jamie.

jamie outlander

Jamie’s reaction is one that is rarely displayed in public. (Unless it’s been caught out by the media). A public display of shame is often shared because one’s been caught out from doing the wrong thing, not always acknowledging the wrong they have done. But acknowledging our faults is something we must display if we want to be in right relationship with God.

I have come face-to-face with my own personal shortcomings. And in those moments, I’ve had to make a decision. To arrogantly ignore what I’ve recognized in myself and allow pride to defend my actions, or acknowledge my guilt and shame, and confess my failings to God.

And the wonderful thing is, God doesn’t want to leave me feeling guilty and shamed. He wants me to live in the freedom and forgiveness, made possible when Jesus died on the cross.

This is why the Easter message is so powerful. God could have told humanity – go fend for yourself, you effed up. He could have ghosted us – like many of us do when someone does the wrong thing to us (and they are immediately given the silent treatment).

But instead, He responded with love and forgiveness.

The Easter message should be an ‘aha’ moment for humanity. A moment where we contemplate what God has done for us and the significance of Jesus dying on a cross.

Where the innocent was beaten and crucified for our transgressions.

Our aha moment should be time to understand the grace God has given us and the lengths he went to to restore us to Himself.

As a result of Easter, I don’t want to miss the future God has in store for me, hence why I have faith and believe in the cross.

So this Easter, it’s my prayer that you have your own ‘aha moment’ with God and the message of Easter. Be open to hearing from Him. May you know how deeply you are loved, and be reflective on the incredible sacrifice that was made possible because of His love.

The real test of someone’s love towards you is their reaction in time of need, and God’s reaction was one that went beyond human understanding. Sacrificing a son, to save the many. While there are many hurts that we continue to face in this lifetime because of sin, our future is sealed for better things because of Jesus’s death on the cross.

That truly is an aha moment worth contemplating.

May you have an incredibly blessed Easter Sunday.

Six Things I Don’t Regret Doing In My 20s

By
Rebecca Senyard
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0
Six Things I Don’t Regret Doing In My 20s

Sponsored by Stockland

If you reflect on your 20s, you’re bound to have fond memories of good times and the youth that you often took for granted. You may also have regrets about things you should or shouldn’t have done. I believe missed opportunities will always present themselves again at the right time, because I’m optimistic like that. But I wanted to share with you six things I don’t regret doing in my 20s.

Around two years ago, when I was fully immersed in my 30s, I felt like I may have missed the opportunity to live a little wilder in my 20s. At the time, I had three children under five, so I’m not sure whether the feelings were prompted from being on call to three little people day in and day out, or whether it was a spiritual lie, prompting me to do something outrageous to break my ‘good girl’ mold. But I got through that thinking, and upon reflection have no regrets.

When I reflect on my 20s, I wasn’t like most twenty year olds. I was determined to be a good adult by studying and getting a full time job as soon as I could so I could start saving for a house deposit. I never went clubbing. I never got drunk. And I wasn’t interested in partying through the night.

But that headspace and discipline set me up to make some wise decisions in my 20s. I thought I’d share with you six of those decisions that I don’t regret today.

1. Telling my dad his dating rules sucked

Technically this happened when I was 17, but it set me up for one of the best decisions of my life and all before my 21st year.

After I graduated from school, my dad told me that I wasn’t allowed to date until I finished my tertiary education. He didn’t want a relationship to distract me from finishing my Diploma in Business Marketing. I remember sitting Dad on my bed and nicely telling him (with a little exasperation) that I couldn’t wait that long. I had taken Jacob to my formal the previous year. I knew I was the one for him, and how unfair it would be to make him wait for me while I completed my studies? Dad relented. Jacob and I got together when I was 20, and I was in a steady relationship from that point onwards. We got engaged and married before I was 21. This April, we will have been married for 13 years.

married the plumbette

Was it a good decision to get married so young? I believe so. We got marriage counselling before we headed down the aisle and we had talked on length about what we wanted in life. While we were in love with each other, we were also grounded and were in it for the long term.

2. Buying our first house

When Jacob and I were newly engaged, we pooled our money together for a house deposit. At that time, it was about looking for a house we could afford. It also needed to be near public transport so Jacob could get to work as we only had one car, and couldn’t be too far from my work at Salisbury. It needed to have access to our church and a shopping centre (a girl needs to shop get groceries). Forest Lake ticked all those boxes at the time. We spent a whole day looking at cottages and villas, and by the end of the day, we knew which house we wanted. We took my parents through, who also thought it would be a good starting house for us, and made an offer that night. Once accepted, we bought our first home. I was 20 and Jacob was 24.

3. Starting and completing my plumbing apprenticeship

A year after Jacob and I had been married, I changed jobs, but realised I wasn’t happy with my work situation. I have always been a forward thinker. I knew I wanted to have children, and wanted to have an established business that I could earn an income from while I had kids. I also knew our existing house was not a forever home either. We needed to upgrade to a bigger family home.

I discussed this with my Dad, who suggested a few days later that I become a plumber and take over our family plumbing business. So at the age of 22 I started my plumbing apprenticeship.

bec as a plumbing apprentice

During the apprenticeship I regretted starting it. It was hard. I was out of my comfort zone on a daily basis. There were tears. There were frustrations. But I knew I couldn’t quit. And I didn’t because when I was 25 I completed my apprenticeship. It was a relief when it was finished. But then, the business changed a bit due to the global climate and reigning in the business to create a better lifestyle.

4. Upgrading our home to a Stockland estate

During the first three years of being in our first home, there were things that needed to be done to the house.

We painted rooms, laid new carpet in the bedrooms, installed an air conditioner in our main bedroom, changed the taps, replaced the hot water unit, installed a new roof on the existing pergola and replaced the sleeper retaining wall that housed a family of termites. Buying an older home for our first home didn’t come without expense.

But then there was a real estate boom in Brisbane. Houses were being sold at record prices. We had been eyeing off a newly developed Stockland estate in the next suburb over. I walked through display homes with my Mum as she and Dad decided to build their next house. I knew that this was going to be our next move. Stockland was going to be the place Jacob and I would raise our family.

I fell in love with the new residential community, Parkwood Estate. I loved the suburban feel. It felt like the right place to raise a family. There were gorgeous parks that I could imagine taking my future children to. It was also in the vicinity of shopping centres and public transport.

The house and land packages were affordable. But by the time we made our move, many of these had been snapped up. We opted to buy a display home. The design was exactly what we were after and the price was right for our budget. The display home was more than we could have ever dreamed of to raise our family in.

bought a display home

If you’re in the market to purchase your first home, consider your lifestyle both now and in the future. There is peace of mind when buying a house and land package in a Stockland estate because there is likely to be very little maintenance in the first 5 years of living in your new home. You also have freedom to choose what you want from the start when it comes to colour and material selections.

Six Things I Don’t Regret Doing In My 20s

If you’re still unsure about where to buy your first home, Stockland have created My Place, which offers tips about purchasing your first property. Knowing what to expect before you head down the home building process is important, and Stockland offers great tips to help you through the process.

5. Overseas travel

Getting into the work force, and saving money like crazy, still allowed for a few overseas holidays. Jacob and I managed to go to Africa on a mission trip before we got married. During the earlier years of our marriage, we went to New Zealand, Fiji and Europe, spending one week in London, and another week in Paris. When we got home from Paris, I thought I had a severe case of jet lag. But it seemed visiting the ‘City of Love’, set us up for the next stage of our life.

in the city of love, paris

6. Having children

I was 26 when I had my first child and I had my last child two days after I turned 30. The last half of my 20s consisted of baking and raising babies. All the while juggling plumbing work and writing this blog. They were busy and crazy years that are a bit of a blur because having babies in quick succession can do that to you. I don’t regret having my girls when I did. But I do feel like I’ve lived a lot of milestones in one decade.

first baby bec the plumbette

They say your 20s are the years when you’re free to do what you want. It’s the years of finally getting out into the world by moving out of home, going to university and travelling overseas. But my 20s were years of making decisions that would set Jacob and I up for the future. It certainly hasn’t come without its challenges, but after writing this post, I certainly don’t have regrets.

The plumbette family photo

Now my thirties are about paying off the mortgage, raising the kids and getting them through school, while creating wonderful memories together along the way.
I still remember when we first moved into our current home, and feeling like it was empty. But now, as I look around, it’s full. Full of Shopkins, Duplo and Lord knows what under the couches. But seriously, it’s full of love and life. Full of fun and laughter. And for that, there are absolutely no regrets.

Disclosure: This post has been written in accordance with my disclosure policy. All opinions are my own.

Dark Bottle Pump Handwashes That Look Amazing in Your Bathroom

By
Rebecca Senyard
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0
Dark Bottle Pump Handwashes That Look Amazing in Your Bathroom

If there is one thing that you can easily add to your bathroom vanity or kitchen sink to make it a little more stylish and welcoming, it would be adding a dark bottle pump handwash.

The Qantas Club was the first to introduce me to offering a hand wash and hand cream at the bathroom vanity. I remember feeling a bit special using the products and my hands smelt and felt amazing after using the products. Who wouldn’t want a similar experience at home?!

Offering this type of experience in your own bathroom is easy to do by purchasing a pump handwash and matching hand cream.

I recently bought the newly released Sukin Hand Wash and Hand Cream set from Chemist Warehouse for $14.99 (currently on sale). It’s a limited edition set, featuring botanical illustrations from Kimmy Hogan. I’m going to head back to store to buy another set for our main bathroom, as this set is currently in our ensuite. I’ve loved the hand cream and the hand wash is just as divine.

I also love the botanical illustrations and have discovered a new artwork I would like in our home. I’m putting it on my Birthday list. (On another note, if you buy this set from Chemist Warehouse and enter a competition online, you can win a Kimmy Hogan framed artwork.)

Dark Bottle Pump Handwashes That Look Amazing in Your Bathroom Sukin Limited Editio Hand wash Kimmy Hogan

The dark bottle pump handwashes are my favourite because they don’t show the dirt like white pumps do and I personally like the look when in a white bathroom. I think they stand out and look a bit more ‘designer’.

dark botle handwash

Other favourites that I have used in the past are the Thank You hand soap range and Aesop – which is a bit pricey, but is oh so amazing to use. Here are some dark bottle pump handwashes displayed on some of The Block bathrooms. (images have been sourced from The Block Shop)

the block powder room dark bottle handwash

 

Georgia and Ronnie Bathroom Handwash

Here are my picks for dark bottle pump handwashes for your bathroom if you are looking to add them to your vanity. Most also offer a pump hand cream to compliment the hand wash.

dark bottle pump handwash

  1. Antipodes Namaste Hand and Body Wash $35
  2. Ena Pink Grapefruit, Lemon Myrtle and Eucalyptus Hand Wash $29.95
  3. Sukin Limited Edition Hand Wash and Cream Duo $14.99 (on sale at Chemist Warehouse)
  4. Planet Luxe Vanilla Hand Wash 500ml $25
  5. Thank You Hand Wash $7.99
  6. Aesop Resurrection Hand Wash $40.00

What dark bottle pump handwash do you like best?

Disclosure: There are affiliate links on this post. Should you choose to purchase an item, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Spiced Plum Cake

By
Rebecca Senyard
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0
spiced plum cake header

If you’ve recently bought plums and have found them to have no taste or to be a bit sour, you will love them in this Spiced Plum Cake.

spiced plum cake

I recently bought a box of plums from Aldi so Jacob could add one to his lunch. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a great eating experience as the plums had no taste and were floury. A good fruit experience for us is taste and crispness. I’m not sure how you’d explain that with plums as it’s a fleshy fruit but I think you understand my gist.

I find purchasing good plums can be a bit hit and miss. But I like to add variety to our fresh food diet so thought the plums would be a great snack. But it wasn’t to be. And there is nothing worse than spending money on fruit that doesn’t get eaten and sits in the crisper in the fridge.

I didn’t want the whole box of 9 plums go to waste, so I created this spiced plum cake recipe and those 9 plums were put to very good foodie experience use.

spiced plum cake baked

This is a rustic style cake that has a lot of flavor (despite the plums having no flavor! Go figure!). You can have a piece with or without cream. I’d add cream if the cake was served as dessert.

spiced plum cake with cream

It looks fabulous presented on a plate with a bit of icing sugar dusted over the top. I’ve left my cake on the tray for the purpose of the post.

spiced plum cake

I’d imagine this recipe would work for other fruits that can be baked like apple, pear and peaches. I have used a similar recipe to create an apple crumble cake, but I’ve used cinnamon instead of mixed spice.

Plums certainly make this cake stand out with their deep colour. This truly is a great cake to bake in Autumn, and right when plums are starting to come out of their prime season. If you buy some plums at the end of the season that taste a little ordinary, use them in this cake.

spiced plum cake

 [mpprecipe-recipe:25]

Are you a fan of fruit on your cake? Do you enjoy eating plums in Summer? What makes a good fruit eating experience for you?

A Day in the Life of a Plumber – Three Plumbers to Follow on Instagram

By
Rebecca Senyard
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2
plumbers to follow on instagram

If you’ve ever wanted to know what a day in the life of a plumber is like, here are three plumbers to follow on Instagram.

Social media is often slammed for sharing the highlight reel instead of the ‘reality’ reel. But these plumbers have embraced Instagram as a tool to really show what they can be faced with at work. And sometimes what they show isn’t pretty. Their stories and photos offer an insight in the day of a plumber and how every day is different.

Plumbers never know what they are going to find when they show up to a job, and some are clever enough to utilise social media to show you the varied surprises they face each day.

So here are three of my favourite plumbers to follow on Instagram. They show you how it is, no filters required. Thank goodness there is no smell function, because some of what they post can be hard to stomach. But there are informative posts too, which primarily explain why licensed plumbers should be used to install all your plumbing needs.

Three Plumbers to Follow on Instagram

Life of a Maintenance Plumber

Hey Sista Plumbing

I Plumb Solutions

What Should a Plumber Put on Their Instagram Feed?

If you’re a plumber with a website that has a blog, and some social media channels, it can be hard to know what to share. Sometimes it’s an added item on your to-do-list, which you don’t have time for. But making time for a quick photo on the job or a video can be really useful and it can be instantly uploaded to your social media accounts. You also have the ability to embed these posts into a blog post for your news section on your website (just as I have done in this post).

It is important for plumbers to be visible on Facebook and Instagram as these are the new ‘yellow pages’. Whatever you show on your feed, should be helpful and/or entertaining. Be mindful that potential customers will view your feed (providing it’s set as public) and the content you share will either encourage them or deter them from giving you a call.

If you are a plumbing company that is wanting help with social media or content creation for your website, feel free to contact me. I offer this as a service, for trade companies that don’t have the time to do it themselves.

Do you follow any plumbers on Instagram? Are there others I should know about? What accounts do you usually follow on Instagram?

I Don’t Need Permission From Others to Change and Neither do you

By
Rebecca Senyard
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2
I Don’t Need Permission From Others to Change and Neither do you

This week was a week of nerves and tension headaches as I had my first experience on the phones taking customer calls. My new work role will have me on the phones for the entire shift when I work from home. Being on the phone talking to a customer doesn’t freak me out. In fact, if you are that person that prefers to text message instead of call, I’m the opposite. I prefer to call because I can get straight to the point and get an immediate answer. Years’ of experience in my 20’s doing telemarketing calls and talking to builders has built my confidence over time. So taking and making phone calls is something I enjoy. What made me nervous though, was navigating a computer program I’m still trying to get my head around while having a customer on the phone. I didn’t want to stuff them around or create a policy that wasn’t right for them.

Wednesday was D-day (or phone day) and I was looking forward to getting my first call over and done with so I wouldn’t be so nervous. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get onto the phones because of a technical glitch. So I got to listen in on one of my colleague’s calls who did an amazing job. I really wanted to be on the phone though to get over my initial fear of the unknown. Thankfully, I got to take my first calls on Thursday and it wasn’t as scary as I had thought. What scared me more was realizing just how many drive a new car home before they insure it!

Next week, I will be learning about home and contents insurance and this is something I’m very interested in knowing. Especially when it comes to plumbing and those that DIY instead of using a licensed plumber. This is really one of the reasons I applied for this job. It will be the stepping stone to where I’d like to use my trade experience to assess property claims.

Anyway, during the week I shared my photo with my headset on and I had a plumber comment on my post saying ‘I thought you were a plumber?’

bec on the phone

Sometimes we can walk into someone’s life and not understand the decisions they make or why they are doing what they are doing. But the best way to understand is to ask questions without judgement because I don’t need permission from others to change and neither do you.

Since having Phoebe, I have been living in a haze of the unknown. I haven’t known what to do in relation to my trade since closing our family business. But I’ve kept the blog running because I enjoy it and it led me to get work writing articles for a number of online sites. Unfortunately, the poor pay conditions led me to reconsider my decision of making writing a full time career for myself.

It’s okay to try things and realise they aren’t for you. It’s also okay to stop and find something new.

move and change you're not a tree

There may be plumbers that read this blog and hate going to work every day. If you hate your work, make a change and find something you will enjoy doing.

Don’t get in a rut or a mindset that says ‘this is just how it is.’ It doesn’t have to be. If running a business is stressful, go back to being employed. Use your trade to find work elsewhere that you enjoy.

If you’re a mum and work is sabotaging peace in your family life, find a different job that will allow you to spend more time at home.

The change doesn’t need to be abrupt and it won’t be. There will be steps to take to make the change. You can’t just stop a business or quit a job if you rely on that income to live. But change starts with a decision and once that decision is made, you become highly curious and more aware of new opportunities.

Prayer has been a huge part of my journey (not just by myself, but by family and friends who have known my unease) and I’ve been quite specific with my prayers to know how to discern what is for me and what is not.

During my crazy season of change as a mum, I kept blogging and writing for various companies and news sites. Some companies I will never write for again. But you don’t know what you don’t know. It takes time and life experience to realise when and how to change.

Living a full life is embracing new experiences and new thinking. I think we can fall into the habit of sticking with a bad job and hoping it will get better.

But sometimes it won’t and the conditions get worse. If history repeats itself, it’s time to move on because that’s a sign it won’t get better.

what you allow is what will continue

I might not be on the tools as a plumber right now, but I know I’m where I’m meant to be. I don’t look outwards for permission to change my direction, I look upwards and that’s really how all of us ought to be.

Have you changed anything in your life recently? Do you sometimes feel like you can’t change because of others?

An Easy Easter Centerpiece and Easter Decorating Around my Home

By
Rebecca Senyard
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0
easter decorating and easter centerpiece

With Easter being a month away, I like to add a few Easter bits and pieces to the house to change the décor up and get the kids excited about the new season. Over the years, I have bought decorations and they are the same pieces I bring out each year. This year, I wanted to create a dedicated Easter centerpiece and so I went on Pinterest to get some inspiration.

I used the decorations I already owned, a Kmart bamboo tray (which I use to serve cob loaf), some lone sticks from the front yard and purchased some astro turf from Bunnings (1 sheet is $19.95) to go about my decorating.

bamboo platter from kmart

easter artificial turf

Easy Easter Centerpiece

I love a runner on the table, but the reality is, when kids eat at the table, usually whatever is in the middle of the table is put on the kitchen bench to avoid it getting covered in food. That’s why I always use a plastic tablecloth on the table. It makes life easier when cleaning after meals.

So I needed my centerpiece to be easy to transport. So no runners or a million decorative pieces displayed in the middle of the table. The decorations had to be contained on the platter for easy removal.

I wanted to lay the artificial turf in the middle of my tray, so used the platter as a template and went to cut the artificial turf. Use sharp scissors for this exercise.

cut artifical turf

Once the artificial turf in is your platter, you can experiment with what you put in it.

artificial turf in platter

Here are some of the centerpieces I came up with, using what I already owned.

Easter centerpiece and easter decorating

 

Easter centerpiece and easter decorating bunny

 

Easter centerpiece and easter decorating

 

Easter centerpiece and easter decorating

 

The last centerpiece was what I had on the table, but I felt like it wasn’t quite there with where I wanted. After dropping into my local discount store to get some craft supplies, I added a little blackboard and some tin buckets.

easter centerpiece and decorating

 

easter centerpiece in platter

 

easter decorating bright and colourful

Any leftover decorations were put on our buffet.

easter decorating and easter centerpiece

 

vanessa bean for easter decorating

 

Easter decorating

 

Easter Decorating Vanessa Bean

If you’re thinking about decorating your home with some Easter goodness, here are some pieces I found online.

easter decorations 2020 for easter centerpiece

  1. Large Ceramic Bunny Bowl $7.00
  2. Tiny Wooden Egg Decorations set of 24 $7.49 (on sale)
  3. Flopsy Family Rabbit Ornament $20.99 (on sale)
  4. Floral Bunny Silhouette Plate in Blue and Yellow $9.74 (on sale)
  5. Easter Hanging Timber Decoration $6.99
  6. Carrot Bundle Set of 3 $7.49
  7. Gold Bunny Candle Holder $15.00
  8. Berry and Easter Egg Spray $7.49 (on sale)

Do you decorate your home during Easter? Do you typically put together an Easter centerpiece?

Disclosure: There are affiliate links on this post. Should you choose to purchase an item, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

What I’ve learned After a Week of Full Time Work and Being a Mum

By
Rebecca Senyard
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1
What I’ve learned After a Week of Full Time Work and Being a Mum

There has been a lot of change in The Plumbette HQ in the last month. It’s been good change, but I’ve kept a lid on it since I shared about the interview process because… what if I didn’t get the job?

Well… I got the job. I got verbal confirmation of my employment two weeks ago, but after my last ‘verbal agreement’ that didn’t go to plan, I waited for my letter of employment to come through. I got that late one Friday afternoon (around two weeks ago), with Jacob standing behind me. I had a mix of emotions run through me like relief, excitement and a slight fear of what the heck have I got myself into? The hard part of the job is working for seven weeks full time to get trained.

I had my first week of training this week and got to see who in my group interview got the job. There were two group interviews, so I got to meet new people as well. (on a side note I LOVE everyone in my current team. The recruiters did a great job in hiring an awesome group of people).

This week has been an eye opener for me personally though and really that’s a no brainer when you go through a big change. It’s been a shock to my system to work full time hours and not have any hours during the day to go and do certain errands that I would normally do when I’d be home. (post office, putting on a load of washing, getting dinner prepped, getting groceries and etc)

change quote for work the plumbette

I’ve had to rely on others to help me. My mum has helped with looking after Phoebe and school pick-ups. She’s organised dinner on those nights, while Jacob has been able to work flexibly for the first two weeks to also do school drop offs, pick-ups, look after Phoebe and do the afternoon routine of homework, baths and getting dinner cooked. Each week won’t look the same with the care arrangements for the girls. Thankfully they have been able to adapt to the change in routine.

I also suffered two migraines and headaches this week. The first one was on Sunday night, the night before my first day. It was so bad I threw up everything I ate that day and I had to take myself to bed at 7pm to make sure I’d be okay on Monday. The headache lingered for the first few days of training. On Wednesday I came home with the start of another migraine and headed to bed straight after dinner. On Wednesday night I was feeling guilty for not handling it better, let alone not being able to do work for clients I want to keep when the job returns to 20 hours per week. Plus not being able to do my mum duties at night. As a friend told me, it’s short term pain for long term gain. This won’t be the reality every week.

Thankfully from Thursday, I was feeling better.

It’s been a big week of learning, and there is still more to learn. We haven’t hit the crest of what we need to know yet, but it’s been really interesting. There is so much I never knew or understood about insurance (and I think the greater population don’t really understand how it works either).

So what is the job? I’m working for a bank and dealing specifically with insurance – doing quotes and customer service. It’s a base level job that gives me an income with hours that will work in with what I already do – writing my blog, managing social media and online article writing.

This week though, has opened my eyes to the possibilities of the future. Right now though, I’m just focusing on what I’ve got in front of me.

Of course, these seven weeks of full time training have meant I will miss out on events. This week we had International Women’s Day, The Trades Women Australia Conference and the World Plumbing Day Breakfast hosted by the MPAQ on Friday morning.

And then with my girls, I will miss Esther and Maggie running their cross country and the Easter Hat Parade for all three girls. And a myriad of events with friends who I’ve told I will be MIA because I can’t do everything.

Thankfully my mum and grandparents will be able to be there for the girls at their events.

There is always a cost for better gain. And while I may be missing out on seeing my girls in certain events, they are going to gain more amazing experiences with me in the future because of this job.

life gets better with change

It’s going to interesting times ahead. The biggest learning curve for me this week was facing my capabilities. I can do this job and I can learn… but I can’t keep doing everything. There will be certain things I will have to let go to get the balance right with my family. But I will make those decisions as I go along.

The main thing is to reassure you that this blog isn’t going anywhere. In fact, after my week of training, I have even more ideas for the blog and ways to make it better than it currently is. But I need finance to bring those ideas to fruition.

How was your week? Got any changes happening in your life? Are you a mum who works full time? How do you do it? I’d love to know.

Groutless Bathroom Ideas in Australia

By
Rebecca Senyard
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1
groutless bathroom ideas in Australia

One of the predicted bathroom trends for 2018 was the use of large panels, instead of tiles on the walls, to remove the need for grout. I recently shared a post by Katrina Chambers on groutless showers and it got a lot of interest, but many of the bathrooms in that post related to bathrooms from overseas. So I decided to do some research via Houzz, to find some groutless bathroom ideas in Australia for inspiration. There was so much variety in the use of panels in the bathrooms.

I reached out to Amelia from Undercover Architect to ensure I covered all available options when it comes to the types of panels or finishes available for groutless  or tile less bathrooms. The most common are render, concrete, stone panels and acrylic panels.

Amelia confirmed and added to my list:

1. Venetian Plaster can be used in parts of the bathroom (need a different product generally within wet areas)
2. Compressed Fibre Cement Sheeting
3. Stone Panels
4. Corian and other resin based products
5. Acrylic panels – like Wet Wall Panels, Aquapanel etc

There are many options available to suit a range of budgets and interior choices. In fact the cost of supplying and installing panels can be quite comparative with a middle range tile installation.

Groutless Bathroom Ideas in Australia

Just because the panels are groutless, doesn’t mean they won’t necessarily be free from mould. Check the specification at the time of making your selections to ensure you’re getting a product that will meet your design and cleaning needs. Some products, while suited to humid conditions, may need adequate ventilation and sunlight to prevent mould growth.

Here are some groutless bathroom ideas that have been installed in Australia. If you click on the image, the designer will share the exact product they have used on the walls. (Except the Minosa Design one says Easy Clean Shower)

Panel and wall materials to consider

Exposed Plumbing

The water pipes in these bathrooms are enclosed behind the panels. If you wish for the pipework to be exposed, you need to check with your local council on what the stipulations are for exposed pipework. Some will require both pipes to be lagged, which won’t be the look you’re after in your bathroom. It also removes the easy cleaning properties that make groutless bathrooms an attractive design option.

Are you a fan of the paneled or groutless bathrooms?

Easter Meringue Nests

By
Rebecca Senyard
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2
Easy Easter Meringue Nests pavlova

If you’ve been looking for an easy plate-to-share idea for Easter, you can’t go wrong with these Easter Meringue Nests. This no fail recipe isn’t really a recipe at all, because you just need to assemble the ingredients, and once put together, you can place them on a plate. Whatever eggs are leftover can be placed in the middle of the wreath.

Easter Meringue Nests

There is nothing healthy about this recipe. So if you’re avoiding sugar, this would be a no go zone for you. But if you embrace all the sugar at Easter time, this recipe is definitely for you. The meringues taste delicious and they really do look sweet on the plate when placed in a circle. I prefer meringue nests over a pavlova because I love the hard, sugary base.

Easter Meringue Nests

Mini pavlovas are my daughter’s favourite desserts. In fact, Maggie requested this dessert for her Birthday. Instead of opting for fruit as the topping (which is my preferred option) she asked for cream and sprinkles. And you know what, they tasted pretty good!

Easter Meringue Nests Cream

 

Easter Meringue Nests Cream and eggs

To add a bit of extra colour to the nests, I also added those left over pink sprinkles from Maggie’s Birthday. The daisies are edible and can be bought in the baking aisle.

Easter Meringue Nests Cream

I have no doubt that I’ll be making these again on the Easter weekend. After training full time in my new job, I will be looking for an easy recipe like this that I can whip together in no time. Unfortunately, you can’t make these ahead of time as when left in the fridge, the meringues go soft. Also the colour can run from the eggs onto the cream. They are best eaten straight after making.

Easter Meringue Nests Cream

[mpprecipe-recipe:24]

Do you prefer pavlova or meringue nests? Excited for Easter this year?

 

Laundry Trends for 2018

By
Rebecca Senyard
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12
laundry trends for 2018

The laundry has come a long way from being the small concealed room at the back of the house. The laundry has now become another room to make over – a space where personal style can be added. It’s also becoming a room that can offer multiple uses if the space allows. Here are some of the laundry trends for 2018, and some advice from myself in relation to the plumbing.

laundry trends for 2018 with plumbing advice

A sink, tub or bowl? And plumbing considerations

Gone are the days where a typical laundry would look like this. (it’s ok if you still have this as I still do too)

It’s becoming popular for sinks to be used as the main laundry tub, having it inset into the benchtop with a dedicated cover. For smaller laundries, where bench space is minimal, smaller bowls are being used as the laundry tub, with a cover to allow for extra bench space (we saw this design on The Block last year). From a mother’s point of view, a bigger sink or tub is better than a smaller bowl where clothes can’t be soaked. But if the washing machine has a soak function, the smaller bowl may be worthwhile for extra bench space.

The washing machine waste pipes are now being concealed behind cabinetry, to avoid the hoses from being on display. Approved fittings allow for this type of installation, but your plumber will know if they are approved by the local authorities as each town has their own rulings on what can or can’t be installed, even if the item is a watermarked and approved fitting. Ensure the hot and cold water lines are connected to flood stop valves so the flow of water will be stopped should a hose blow off or burst.

Mixers and spray mixers are the trending tapware in laundries. The extra force allows for easy rinsing of clothes and makes the laundry look more contemporary.

Colours and materials

Black and white will always be popular, but timber and all shades of grey will also be sought when choosing cabinetry and bench tops. Timber benchtops are still a favourite bench material in the laundry. In fact, it’s one of the better spaces to have timber as most of the ‘wet’ activities are done in the washing machine. Timber also works well with a monochromatic palette.

 

Uniformed look

Whatever materials are used in the kitchen, will be replicated in the laundry. This is a great move so there is uniformity in the house. It also saves time in choosing new finishes for another room.

 

Energy efficient and space saving

Washer and dryer combos help save space in the laundry and will be more popular than having the two stand alone appliances. There will be less wall mounted appliances, with most being accessed at floor level. This allows for shelving or cupboards above for extra storage.

 

Extra features

With a focus on energy saving appliances, many will opt for a drying cupboard. A drying cupboard requires a vent on the floor and in the ceiling. It’s important to decide on a drying cupboard at the design stage so the vents and space can be allowed for.

 

Consider how else the laundry room can be used. If it’s a big space, it could be turned into a mud room, craft room, or it could be segregated off a guest bathroom.

Storage is key

No matter the size of the laundry, storage will be the biggest consideration as you can never have too much storage in a laundry. Especially if you have a large family or an active or new family (hello baby) that churns through a bit of washing. The laundry can be the designated area to store cleaning products, cleaning equipment and linens.

Not everyone has a home that has space for a dream laundry, but investing in some of the key features and trends above, could see the laundry become a much better useable space than in the past.

Which laundry trends for 2018 are your preferred style? If your laundry was a well styled space, would you spend more time in there?

The One Thing We Should Strive To Do This Year

By
Rebecca Senyard
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0
the one thing we should strive to do this year

When the 1st of January 2018 rolled around, I had good intentions of making it my year to start working on my health, finances and general wellbeing. I wrote my list of goals and it ended up being two pages long. And then I had a few things unravel in the last month and I wasn’t so sure that those goals were going to be achieved. I felt overwhelmed with my list, and with the changes in my life, I had to be picky on what to focus on first. What was most important? Was I being too hard on myself to focus on so many things? Could I even pull them off now that some things hadn’t gone to plan so early in the year?

The mind races when things don’t go to plan. I go into fight mode and start hustling. But I’ve been sent so many words about being still, that it cannot be a coincidence. I truly believe it’s what I have needed to do in the last few weeks and needs to be a priority here on in as the year moves forward.

One week into the New Year, I was scrolling through Instagram and I came across this verse shared from a lady at church, which prompted me to stop and find the verse in my Bible.

The NIV and Message versions are slightly different. I loved the wording from my friend’s Bible which is the passion version.

Since being published on the 8th January, I have kept going back to this verse (I even shared it myself on Instagram) because in essence it’s the one thing we should strive for this year. It’s the one thing I want to strive for this year.

To put God first, not because I have to or because I should, but because I want to. And because I actually need to.

When He’s put first in my life, all areas of my life will align how they should. That wisdom I crave for will be given. That discernment I need will be heard.

By putting God first, I will be giving him the first of my time and attention, so I will be able to practice what I learn and my faith won’t easily waiver when things don’t work out. (like they did a couple of weeks ago)

We are living in times where God is not being put first. His ways are not being sought, and we are starting to question why there is so much ridiculousness in the world. We question why we have the leaders we do and why many of the pressing issues in our current time aren’t being addressed. God will not move if He’s not requested to. He gave us free will and it’s up to us to decide if we want Him to intervene or not.

Spending time in prayer, praying for the needs around the world and even within Australia is something I can do. It’s something we can all do.

I can listen and obey. And through my obedience, I know the immediate people in my world will benefit. They will get the words and encouragement they need in their day to do what they’ve been called to do because I’m doing my part. That’s why all of us should be pursuing our calling everyday, and checking in with God first so we know that what we are doing is what He created us to do.

If you are struggling like me to know what to focus on first this year, maybe make God your first priority. Because once that is pursued on a daily basis, you will get the discernment you need to know what to focus on next.

And you won’t regret the time spent with Him as He will direct your steps in a way that takes you further than if you had done the work without Him.

 

5 Good Things That Have Reminded me What is Most Important in Life

By
Rebecca Senyard
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0
good things

Do you ever sometimes wish for a simple life and then realise how much work is involved to create a said simple life? And really, you don’t want a simple life. Maybe a more slower life where you can fully appreciate each moment and every person in your life.

I’ve been contemplating this for a while now. And maybe it will continue to be part of my thought life as I try to reign in the busyness that seems to creep into my life as the year starts to ramp up. Sometimes when life gets busy or overwhelming, I have started to take time out to list all the things I’m grateful for. Mostly I pray for them and thank God for each blessing.

But this does not come easily for me. Not the being grateful part – but the physical act of stopping to reflect on those things I’m very grateful for. Sometimes habits need to be formed or visual reminders need to be set up to help me remember the important things in life. I wanted to share 5 good things I’ve either recently read, experienced or acquired, that have reminded me about the important things in life.

This Print

I have been more mindful of what ‘stuff’ I invite into my home. Especially home décor. I have a running list in my head of things that I eventually want to upgrade: a new dining table that seats 8-10 to a feature artwork in our hallway. But these are all things we can get down the track.

Something that I have been in anticipation to receive for a while is this hand drawn print. The artist did this print for her own children and shared it on Instagram. I loved the meaning behind the print and how it could be personalized. (If I ever got a tattoo, this print would be it)

family print arrows

The print is three arrows which represent my daughters and their names are in morse code within each arrow. The print itself is based on Psalm 127:3-5, which reads via The Message

“Don’t you see that children are God’s best gift? Like a warrior’s fistful of arrows, are the children of a vigorous youth. Oh how blessed you are parents, with your quivers full of children.”

This print sits in our living room, under the TV and is a visual reminder of this verse and how blessed I am to have my children. There are days where my children feel more of a hassle, than a blessing because they can sometimes be hard work and are often part of the reason why I’m busier these days. But I think this quote sums up parenthood perfectly. My children are a blessing because they’ve added a lot of joy to my life, and they’re shaping me into a better person.

parenthood quote

This Birthday Wish

I had to share this gorgeous photo taken of Maggie, when she was making a wish before blowing out the last candle on her ice cream cake. Oh the innocence of such a moment. She turned 5 on Tuesday and it was an epic afternoon with a few prep friends over for an after school ice cream party, followed by a family dinner and more cake! Birthdays bring all the best parts of life together in one place. They are definitely a way to stop and be grateful for what we have.

the birthday wish

This Book

Jentezen Franklin book
Right People, Right Place, Right Plan

After hearing an amazing sermon at church, I went to our resource centre to purchase a copy of the CD so I could hear it again. While I was waiting to be served, I saw this book by Jentezen Franklin and knew I had to read it. I love Jentezen Franklin’s preaching and this book has been so convicting yet encouraging at the same time. I’m so thankful to go to an amazing church where I can be fed spiritually week in and week out. I’m also grateful for books like these that can offer truth on how God wants each of us to lead fruitful and purposeful lives. If you are eager to know God’s direction in your life and to learn how God can speak to you directly, you need to read this book. I haven’t finished it. But it’s a book I will need to re-read again. So many truths have been ah-huh moments for me.

These Sheets

Sleep Republic Sheets

Remember last week I told you I was offered something I needed, in exchange for a review? Well these Sleep Republic sheets were that gift. Jacob and I had been discussing how we needed to get new sheets soon as some of our sheets are becoming tattered. We’ve had them for many years, so it’s definitely time to invest in some good quality sheets. Life is too short to sleep on poor quality sheets. We spend one third of our day in bed… so good sheets, while an expensive purchase upfront, can get a lot of cost per wear from every night use.

Anyway, I’ve never slept on bamboo sheets, but I’m a big convert. These sheets are amazing and feel soft like silk. With a fabulous mattress and now great sheets, going to bed is something I’m super grateful for because it sets me up for a great sleep which results in a better Bec during the day.

sleep republic sheets

This Ritual

Usually Jacob puts Maggie and Esther to bed, and I put Phoebe to bed. But I’ve been missing time with my eldest and on a recent trip to Target, I saw this book lying in the toy section. Someone had abandoned it in the toy section. It must have been for me to discover, because I bought it and reading this book has become a new bedtime ritual for Esther and I.

What would she do?
What Would She Do? Real-Life Stories of 25 Rebel Women Who Changed The World

Now there are themes and questions in this book that aren’t fully appropriate for Esther’s age (depression, suicide, murder list goes on), yet they are the true stories of women who helped change the world. I’m usually able to read ahead to know what to leave out, and Esther’s not at a reading stage just yet to read these for herself. But we’ve enjoyed snuggling in bed together, learning a little history together. I’ve learned some things, and Esther has enjoyed the one-on-one time. It’s my hope that she realises women can do all sorts of things to help others.

Once we finish this book, I will have to find another book to read together. Maybe a book that goes through all the women in the Bible?

These simple things have prompted me stop and be grateful, and this has reminded me of the most important things in life:

Spending time with God.

My husband and daughters.

Reading and learning to build up and inspire so I can live a more purposeful life.

grateful and thankful for my girls

What good things have been happening in your life that you’re grateful for? What makes you stop and reflect on the good things in your life?

Disclosure: There are affiliate links on this post. Should you choose to purchase an item, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I was also gifted the Sleep Republic sheet set. There was no expectation to write about them on my blog, but I wanted to share them with you because I’m impressed with their quality. 

Tap Washers or Ceramic Discs?

By
Rebecca Senyard
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2
Tap Washers or Ceramic Discs?

These days, most people opt for mixer taps in their bathrooms and kitchens. But there is still a desire for pillar or singular hot and cold taps with a separate spout. If you have these styles of taps in your home, one question that is considered when purchasing said taps is whether to install tap washers or ceramic disc spindles. I’m going to share the pros and cons for both while sharing an experience I had on the weekend.

tap washers or ceramic discs

On Sunday morning, Jacob and I had just gotten out of the shower (we have a double shower so no need to assume romantic interludes…) and Jacob noticed his shower rose wouldn’t stop leaking. It was a constant run of water. So I grabbed a bucket to catch the drips, but the continual dripping sound and the intensity in which it flowed annoyed me. The irony wasn’t lost on me that I had just spoken on TV last week about saving water. In my plumber’s mind, I knew it would be the tap washers. But then I realised, Jacob’s shower has ceramic disc spindles, and I’ve got monster tap washers as I had forgotten I’d installed these over 3 years ago for a trial and review.

If the spindles in Jacob’s shower suited tap washers, I could have changed them myself. But they were ceramic disc spindles, and I didn’t have any spares to replace them with. So the next best thing was to remove the shower rose and cap it off until new ceramic disc spindles could be purchased.

Little did I know that while I was capping the shower, Jacob was taking pictures of me and admiring my work. These aren’t the most flattering pictures as I just got out of the shower and chucked my dress on.

taking off shower rose
Couldn’t find my shifting spanner so had to resort to using my multigrips

 

adding brass cap to shower
Taking off the tape with a pocket knife and reapplying to put on the brass cap

 

capping the shower rose

Capping the shower stopped the dripping and it also meant we wouldn’t be paying for water we weren’t using. (but you know I would use it… I was scared the bucket would overflow though)

Once the new ceramic disc spindles were purchased and installed, the shower rose could be installed too.

Tap Washers or Ceramic Discs?

ceramic disc from ram taps
Diagram of a ceramic disc spindle from Ram Taps, purchased from Reece Plumbing

The reason many opt for ceramic disc spindles is because:

• They are more durable and longer wearing, saving the inconvenience and expense at having to replace washers.

• They make turning a tap easier, as a quarter turn of the handle will arrange the discs so a full flow of water will come through the spout instantaneously. (Are a great option for those with arthritis – personally I’d opt for a mixer if renovating/building new)

• Less wear and tear on the tap as there is no constant turning to get a good flow of water.

The disadvantages are: (and usually there is a solution to these)

• Ceramic Disc spindles are more expensive than tap washers.

• Spares aren’t kept on site, compared to tap washers, so you can potentially waste more water until new ceramic discs are purchased. (So keep a set spare. Most plumbers will have spare ceramic disc and tap washer spindles in stock)

• The intensity of the water flow can be unexpected and splash water everywhere. To solve this issue, opt for a ½ or ¾ turn ceramic disc so the flow of water isn’t as intense and is more gradual.

• Are said to last longer than washers… but there are some cases where ceramic discs have needed to be replaced more often. Usually this is common in places with hard water or where sediment has gotten into the water line if the council has cut into the water main.

Tap washers are cheaper to install and can be stored easily at home, but they may need to be replaced more often than ceramic discs. How often that is, anyone can say. But using good quality washers and reseating will promote longevity.

tap washer spindles
These are standard nylon/plastic washers and tap spindles

For us, it wasn’t a big inconvenience to get the new spindles because it meant Jacob had to use my side of the shower while his side was temporarily capped off.

taps with new ceramic disc spindles
Taps with new ceramic disc spindles

The only inconvenient part of the issue was I couldn’t fix the problem immediately because I only had washers, not spare ceramic discs.

tap washers or ceramic disc spindles

To make it easy to change washers or ceramic discs for a basin, get your plumber to install a stop valve or Whisper Flood Stop Isolating valve so the water can be isolated easily for the changeover.

What kind of taps do you have in your house? Mixers? Separate Pillar Taps? Do you prefer ceramic disc or tap washer spindles?

Could the Cape Town Water Crisis Happen in Brisbane? Seqwater Explains why South East Queensland is Better Equipped for a Similar Water Crisis

By
Rebecca Senyard
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5
Could the Cape Town Water Crisis Happen in Brisbane? Seqwater Explains why South East Queensland is Better Equipped for a Similar Water Crisis

I don’t know about you, but the Cape Town water crisis got my attention. When I hypothetically placed myself in the shoes of a Cape Town resident, and thought about having no water run through my taps… I got worried. And then I wrote my post, which received many comments. One comment in particular from David grabbed my attention because he was able to explain how Brisbane was in a better position after our drought from over 10 years ago.  I reached out to Seqwater, who were able to send some valuable information and insight about the Cape Town Water Crisis and how Brisbane is better equipped to survive a similar crisis. Before I share the initiatives and projects that have been put in place in South East Queensland, it’s important to understand the background to Cape Town’s situation.

What has led to the Cape Town Water Crisis?

Seqwater explains, “Cape Town has been experiencing drought since 2015. The city is supplied largely from six major dams in areas around the city. Despite water saving measures, dam levels are predicted to decline to critically low levels, and the city has made plans for ‘Day Zero’, the day when municipal water supply will be shut off.”

Day Zero has now been pushed forward to mid-May, with residents and visitors required to use less than 50 litres of water a day. This is less than a third of the water South East Queenslanders use per day. Providing Cape Town residents comply with these water restrictions, Day Zero will be pushed back to June 4th.

Could the Cape Town Water Crisis happen in Brisbane?

Seqwater advises we already have experienced a similar water crisis scenario during the Millennium Drought.

Wivenhoe dam during the millennium drought
Wivenhoe Dam during the Millennium Drought

“During the worst period of the drought, Lake Wivenhoe, our largest water storage, was down to 15%. Right now, Cape Town’s largest water storage is at 13% capacity,” states Seqwater spokesperson, Mike Foster.

“Cape Town never thought that they would experience more than two failed wet seasons in a row, and now they have experienced three failed wet seasons. South East Queenslanders never thought we would experience two failed wet seasons in a row as well, and then we went through the Millennium Drought and experienced nearly a decade of failed wet seasons.”

The Millennium Drought prompted upgrades to the region’s bulk water supply system, which were put in place during the drought. There have also been other initiatives put in place to provide South East Queensland greater water security, should we find ourselves in a similar drought situation again.

Seqwater advises, “If South East Queensland was to experience the same scenario as Millennium Drought again, with our current water supply system, we would be able to maintain water supply to the region while only needing to introduce medium level restrictions. With our current bulk water supply system our key storages would not reach the same critically low levels as they did.”

But just because we have the systems in place, doesn’t mean we become complacent with our water usage or hope that our existing systems will safeguard us for another drought. No one can predict how long a drought will last. Seqwater is already planning for a worse drought than the Millennium Drought.

Presently, South East Queensland is better equipped to withstand Cape Town’s current drought level.

Seqwater’s Plans for the Future

After the lessons of the Millennium Drought, Seqwater have a Water Security Plan which is a 30 year plan for “providing safe, secure and cost-effective drinking water for South East Queensland and includes a drought response plan.”

When our key bulk water storages reach certain levels, these will indicate the preparation for a drought.

As explained by Seqwater, “This plan allows Seqwater to pre-emptively strike and respond to the possibility of drought, by changing the way we operate our system, mobilizing climate-resilient assets, and implementing water restrictions.”

installing the 4-minute shower timer
Installing the 4-minute shower timer

What South East Queensland learned during the Millennium Drought is that you cannot rely on rain for water supply. This realisation prompted the construction of the SEQ Water Grid – a 600 kilometre reverse flow pipeline network that allows Seqwater to move treated drinking water around the region.

In South East Queensland, we live in a climate of extremes and need to be ready to adjust our water use when conditions change.

The key to ensuring water security in South East Queensland is to have climate-resilient assets that can be used to respond when droughts show up, like the one currently being experienced in Cape Town.

Our assets were drawn upon last year, when Sunshine Coast’s drinking water supply was supplemented from the Water Grid as they experienced an extended dry spell.

The construction of the SEQ Water Grid has placed Brisbane in a better position to respond to drought. We also have the Gold Coast Desalination Plant and the Western Corridor Recycled Water Scheme, which are climate-resilient and can be used to manage drought, should it ever arrive again.

Our individual water usage still plays a part in ensuring there are water supplies now and in the future. It’s important to understand that the Seqwater’s plans combined with our individual response, can work hand-in-hand to ensure we are well equipped should we find ourselves in a drought situation in the future.

Things You Can Do

Look at your recent bill from Queensland Urban Utilities, and look at how much water is used per person in your household. Consider ways you can bring that total down.

Learn from the past and incorporate some of the water saving habits that were introduced during the Millennium Drought.

If you’re looking for simple, DIY ways to save water around the home, check out this post.

For 30 ways to save water both in and outside your home, check out this post.

Thank you Seqwater for your response.

For more updates from Seqwater, follow them on Instagram and Facebook.

Do you look at how much water your household uses each day? Do you know if your city is well equipped for a drought? Can you remember the Millennium Drought if you lived in South East Queensland?

A Very Good Week – It Takes a Village to Raise Someone up

By
Rebecca Senyard
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1
A Very Good Week - It Takes a Village to Raise Someone up

Mid-February is usually always a busy season in our family’s life, because school has usually started back and we celebrate Jacob’s Birthday (on Valentine’s Day) and Maggie’s Birthday (this coming Tuesday). But this week has been exceptionally busy with last minute requests that turned a normally busy week into an intense one.

It all started with an amazing sermon at church last Sunday morning, which was titled ‘Growing Through What You’re Going Through’, and essentially it said without pain, we can’t grow. Huh. It was so good I bought the cd to listen to it again.

After the week I had with work previously, it was what I needed to hear. I faced Monday with new focus and a positive attitude. And then Monday hit me like a tonne of bricks with awesomeness.

Pitches that I had sent came back with a yes, something we needed was offered out of the blue to me for free in exchange for a testimonial, I got sent writing opportunities I didn’t expect. The icing on the cake was getting an interview for a job I had only sent my application into that previous Friday.

Monday was also a little sad because I finally put a request to leave writing work that I had done for a couple of years. The decision was made way back in October, but I had been hanging on wondering if anything would change. And it didn’t. So I asked to be removed from the groups and I felt an immediate release of relief and excitement about the new season I’m about to embark on.

let go quote a very good week

On Tuesday, I headed into a group interview which went for 3.5 hours. It was actually a fun interview and involved a mix of group activities, a role play and public speaking on why we wanted the position. As I Iooked around the room, I believed everyone was worthy of the job. I felt satisfied with how I went, but I wasn’t sure on what the outcome would be. One thing I knew for sure, was that I really wanted the job. The part time hours and working from home would offer the stability I need – and so far haven’t found in the copywriting/writing/digital industry (wait for an epic post about this because it’s been one heck of a ride).

What I wore to my interview
What I wore to my interview

Before I applied for this job though, I had a penny dropping moment of where this base job could eventually take me, which would utilise my trade. It is a career I had never considered, but was hinted at by a friend who works for the same organisation. This was what prompted me to apply. So thankful I did.

Jacob's Birthday
Looking good for -3 years from 40.

Anyway, when I got home with the kids on Tuesday afternoon, I had a massive headache. Jacob’s Birthday was the next day and I needed to wrap his presents. I also needed to do some other work for clients I look after. I then received an email via my blog from a producer at Channel Nine news, asking if I would want to be a part of a news segment about saving on water bills.

I got excited and anxious at the same time. Most media enquiries want ‘Bec the plumber on the tools’. But that’s not me presently. Thankfully, the producer wanted ‘Bec the mum, who used to be a plumber (still is), who now writes a blog’. It immediately made me feel at ease.

And so the news team were booked to come to my house at 10:30am the next day.

Wednesday was Jacob’s Birthday and the morning was a rush of opening presents and trying not to dry reach while eating our breakfast. The girls had made us each a sandwich, spread with half a jar of Vegemite and Nutella, and an OREO (Check out the Facebook video here). I couldn’t even eat my OREO to get rid of the taste. Phoebe stole it from my plate!

The Channel Nine News crew – Alison Ariotti (journalist and presenter) and Nathan (camera man) arrived right on time. I fed Phoebe the half packet of Oreos she’d opened for our breakfast that morning. She sat on the couch and watched me share about our water bills and the things we do to save water. It was then Phoebe’s turn to be part of the show. But she didn’t want in. In fact she said no, with a frown at every request from Alison.

with channel nine news alison ariotti

The only thing I could think of that would change her mind, would be through bribery. I told her I’d get her an LOL if she helped us out. And she beamed and nodded her head and it was game on for Nathan to follow Phoebe as she watered the plants, took a drink of water from her cup and brushed her teeth in my ensuite. I was so relieved they got the footage they needed. Even if it cost me $36!

As soon we finished filming, Phoebe was putting her shoes on and heading to the garage door to get her promised LOL. (it would be her first one, so the eagerness was full on for this one!)

Alison told me they were $9 at Kmart, so I drove over there and guess what? They had SOLD OUT. So I headed to Coles and hoped their mini toy section would provide the goods. And they did, but they were $12 each! After buying 3, Phoebe was happy and Esther and Maggie were thrilled with their surprise.

LOLs for the win

The rest of the week went by in a blur, but late Friday afternoon, I got a call about my interview saying I did well and should expect an offer of employment next week, providing my references and back ground checks are good. So fingers crossed it will all work out.

After that week of feeling so down about things that weren’t working out, last week is proof that you just never know what can follow with a lot of prayer, being still and a bit of persistence in what I already have in my hand.

I also experienced what it was like to let go of something, not knowing what my next thing was… and still being caught. I’m so confident this new direction will work out because it’s been exactly what I’ve been looking for. And if I didn’t have that crappy call two weeks ago, I would not have been looking more seriously for it.

Good things truly can come out of pain when you dig deeper.

Thank you to many of you for taking the time to encourage me. These past two weeks I’ve had books sent to me from Perth to read (Thanks Daniel, they arrived safely), to prayers on the phone for immediate intervention via Toowoomba (Thank you Kirsty). I’ve even had jobs emailed to me, for the type of work I’m looking for (Thank you Renee and Karen). And of course my parents and Jacob, who have been with me on the emotional roller coaster and praying for the right opportunities to come through.

The saying goes it takes a village to raise a child. It also takes a village to raise someone up when they’re having a crappy time. So thank you village for being there for me. x

it takes a village to raise someone up

How has February been for you? What is a sore point in your life right now that you need some intervention into? Feel free to message me via Facebook or via my Contact Form so I can pray with you. x

Easy Habits To Save Money on Your Water Bill

By
Rebecca Senyard
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Easy Habits To Save Money on Your Water Bill

If you’re looking for tips to save money on your water bill, these easy habits are going to help. Make it a simple to save water every day. 

Since writing my post last week about the Cape Town water crisis, I’ve personally reflected on our household water usage.

Like most people, I often take for granted the water that comes through my tap.

But when you think of the plight of others where water is scarce, it can make you think twice about how you use water around the home.

Like any homeowner, I do look at our bills and compare the costs from the previous quarter.

Our recent water bill from Queensland Urban Utilities was lower than last quarter, and from the same quarter last year. So what did we do to reduce the usage and what can you do to save money on your next water bill?

Last night I shared some tips on what we do as a household with Alison Ariotti from Channel Nine News. You can check out the video below. Queensland Urban Utilities also shared some DIY changes you can do to use less water, without even thinking about it.

And really, that is what it comes down to. Looking at your habits. Considering what you use water for and what rooms use the most. Start new habits or put devices in place which will make it easy for you to start saving water today.

Here are some easy habits to adopt if you’re looking for ways to save money on your next water bill.

Easy Habits To Save Money on Your Water Bill

easy ways to save money on your water bill

1. Install Water Saving Aerators On All Tap Spouts

Water saving aerators can be purchased from your local plumbing store (you need to check if you require male or female aerators before you head out).

You simply remove the existing aerator on your tap spout and replace it with a water saving one.

These will reduce the amount of water flowing through the spout every time the tap is used.

Most new taps will have a standard 3 Star WELS rating (or better) with an automatic reduced flow, but aerators are a great way to reduce the flow on older taps, or further on new taps, if needed.

2. Change to a Water Saving Shower Head

I’ve again written about this before. Did you know that you’re better off installing a water saving shower head, and standing longer under the shower than restricting your shower time using a standard shower head? I explain more in this post. But to explain further:

If you use an unrestricted shower head that uses approximately 20 Litres of water for 4 minutes, you will use 80 Litres of water. But if you use a restricted shower head (9 Litres per minute) for 8 minutes, you will still have only used 72 Litres, which is still 8 litres less than having a shorter shower with a standard shower head.

So it’s better to use a restricted shower rose and still enjoy a longer shower (if it’s warranted). And the best one to use is from Con-Serv as it doesn’t compromise on pressure.

con-serv stream jet shower
Con-Serv Stream Jet

3. Empty Half-filled Cups or Water Bottles Over Indoor Plants

Whenever you turn your tap on, you’ve paid for that water that has come through the spout. So half-full drunk bottles, cups and even water you’ve used in paddling pools, is water that you’ve paid for and should be re-used.

I tip all the half-full water bottles on my indoor plants and in the oil diffusers around my home. The water is usually room temperature and has been filtered through our Zip Tap. I try not to pour unused water down the sink. I’ve found I’m quite set in my ways now with this.

4. Increase Your Steps and Walk Around Your Home for Dripping Taps

Once a month, it’s good to walk around your home to check for dripping taps. Don’t forget the hose taps outside. They are notorious for dripping. A good indicator if the hose tap is dripping is to check the ground. If the grass greener or the pavement is damp, this is a sign of a leaking hose tap.

Get leaking taps fixed as soon as they are identified. A leaking tap can be a real drain to your water bill.

5. Teach Kids How to Save Water

Teaching kids how to be mindful about their water usage is important too. We get our girls not to have the water on while brushing their teeth and make sure they know which button on the toilet is used for number ones and number twos.

Bec on TV save water slash bills

6. Timed Showers and Baths

Depending on the season of your family, bathing the little kids together will save water and money.

As kids get older and develop, they will want to shower alone. For some kids, the shower is the last place they want to go. While this is great for saving water and money, it ain’t great for hygiene.

Use a timer for the showers. The restricted shower head really helps with this if the shower time is extensive.

7. Wash Full Loads of Washing

This is not hard to do with our family as I’m constantly washing clothes. I rarely wash a half load, if ever. Full loads are done daily in our home and this saves water for us.

We use  a top loader washing machine which uses a lot of water. If you have an appliance which draws more water than other efficient appliances, rethink your habits when using it to save water as best as possible.

8. Use the Dishwasher

A dishwasher was a game changer for our household. We make sure, like the washing machine, it’s only ever put on with a full load. We still wash up some items which can’t be put in the dishwasher, but we don’t fill the sink to the brim, only half way.

If you’re looking for more ways to save water, you can check out this post on 30 ways to save water around the home.

We saved $30 from our last water bill – which may not seem a lot, but if you multiplied that by four quarters, that’s $120 and it could have gone towards… a date night or a new dress.

My best advice is make it easy to save water by starting new habits and using devices that don’t make you think twice when turning on the tap.

Do you compare your water bills? How do you save water to slash your water bills? Were you able to catch Phoebe and I on Channel Nine last night?

Special thanks to Channel 9 Queensland for the feature on their water saving story last night.

Aimee Stanton The Nomad Plumber

By
Rebecca Senyard
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0
Aimee Stanton Female Plumbers

It has occurred to me that since I stopped working on the tools four years ago, The Plumbette has evolved into more of a lifestyle blog with plumbing posts interspersed in between.

As I’ve thought about why I created this blog (and I do this continually to ensure I’m always creating content that answers my ‘why’), I wanted it to be a place where anyone could come to find advice, encouragement and inspiration, through my personal experiences in the plumbing trade.

But those plumbing experience posts are few and far between these days because of my current circumstances. However, I can still put the spotlight on female plumbers, by sharing their stories.

It’s been my desire for years to shine the spotlight on female plumbers on this blog, but sadly, many are eager to be on the blog, but don’t send back answers to my questions. Busyness is often the cause, which I totally get.  So I haven’t pursued it. Until now.

Earlier this year I was contacted by Aimee Stanton, who is another female plumber. And she has started her very own blog: Aimee Adventures. Her first post shares how she came into the plumbing trade. I know her blog will be one that female tradies, and those that support women in trades, will want to read and follow.

Aimee is living life her way and her unique approach to her plumbing trade shows where your trade can take you. I’m super excited to have Aimee on the blog today. Her story is just one example of how a woman has used her trade career to live the life she wants.

aimee stanton female plumber

Why did you decide to do a plumbing apprenticeship?

When I was in high school I didn’t have a clue what I wanted to do! At one stage I wanted to be the red wiggle out of the TV show The Wiggles but obviously that one didn’t work out too well for me! After getting expelled from school and going on to study beauty therapy because well… actually I don’t have a clue why, I think it was because my mates were doing it so I thought I would just do it too. I soon began to realise that I hated it and I couldn’t paint nails to save my life. I ended up doing some labouring for my dad who is a builder and realised after only one day YESSSSS!!!!! This is my calling, I want to be a tradie! Whoop whoop whoop whoop, I thought to myself as I signed the paperwork to start my pre apprenticeship in plumbing!

Aimee Stanton female plumber

What were/are some challenges with working in a male dominant industry?

Oh golly! Where do I start? HA! Only kidding! It’s actually awesome working in a male dominant industry, do you know why? Because you have to push yourself! You have to prove yourself and you need to show the rest of the world that you aren’t just ‘taking the p*ss’. I find each day, I rock up to the job site and people tend to look at me confused but once they actually get to chat with me most of them are quite impressed! The other month I was standing in the lift on a multi- story commercial job site and old mate electrician was like to me ‘level 13 please?’ and I’m like ‘huh?’ and he continues to say ‘you are the lift driver aren’t you?’ LIFT DRIVER? I was a little bit offended! I think I had a hammer drill & a set of spanners in my hand too! But that’s all the fun of being a lady tradie.

A lot has changed in the construction industry in the last few years. More and more girls are getting out there and giving a trade a red hot crack. I normally work for a very large scale commercial company where the blokes from my work treat me like ‘one of the boys’ which is great and I love it! (Until I have to hear all of their stories about what they got up to on the weekend!) The industry is finally changing and more and more companies are starting to realise the perks of hiring a female apprentice.

Has anyone inspired you during your apprenticeship?

When times get tough you do feel alone and that you can’t do it and it is ‘all too hard.’ But I found things that got me through the rough stages of my apprenticeship were reaching out to other females in the trades, knowing you weren’t alone.  And there are others out there, like you, that are trying to go against the odds and change the way the world see tradeswomen. Knowing that you have a massive support group makes you even more determined to prove all those people wrong who said you can’t. YEAH YEAH YEAH! GO GIRLS, PROVE ‘EM WRONG!!!!!!!!

Where do you work now in the plumbing industry?

I’m not going to lie – I’m currently travelling Australia in a van chasing waterfalls, in fact right now I’m drinking an espresso martini looking out at the beach. But it’s not like I didn’t work hard for this, I always said after getting a trade under my belt and buying an investment property, I would go out and chase my dreams.

Two years after I finished my apprenticeship, after working my butt off 6-7 days a week, I realised it was time. Time to go out and explore and see the world. As much as I love my job, I believe in balance. Work life balance. Those oxy bottles and tube cutters will always be there. Like they say if you find a job you LOVE you don’t have to work a day in your life! Which I totally agree on, but at the moment I am just enjoying my time off to explore our beautiful country. With saying that I went from working at a small domestic roof plumbing company for the first year of my apprenticeship to working at one of the most amazing mechanical plumbing companies in Australia, AG COOMBS.

aimee female plumber on the tools

What does a typical day look like for you?

At the moment, well let’s just say, very cruisy! Never in the same location, always at the beach and always planning my future and my goals. This year I plan to get more involved in inspiring young girls who are also struggling at school just like I did. Girls that are not quite sure what they want to do with their lives and aren’t the typical A+ student.  I want to show them to take a step out of their comfort zone, and they can do anything if they put their mind to it.

A typical day is hard to say when I am working because I am lucky enough to work for an amazing company that sends me interstate, gives me night shift and weekend work. I always have lots of variety but not one job is ever the same.

Normally I would wake up about 5:30am, chuck on my pink socks and drive into work where I would spend most of my day welding mild steel pipes, brazing brass flanges and copper, reading and interpreting plans & also working on elevated work platforms & installing duct work. I spend most of the day working on industrial air conditioners (chillers, plant rooms, fan coils ect) then SMOKO (the best part of the day 😉 which I would spend laughing and talking crap to the other tradies and eating a mean tuna sandwich.

Why should women consider plumbing (or any trade) as a career?

Choosing the path of becoming a tradeswoman was the BEST decision of my life. I have always been mistaken for a hairdresser, or a beauty therapist or a retail worker, but proving all those people wrong who said I couldn’t, is the best feeling in the world. If you aren’t happy with your life and where you are now I encourage you to take a step out of your comfort zone and get involved in a trade, because not ONE person I have spoken to has ever regretted following the path of a trade.

I’m not going to lie, it isn’t easy! There are times where you want to give up and second guess yourself but after those 4 years of learning things you never thought you were able to do, those 4 years of meeting new and exciting people and then always having a trade under your belt for the rest of your life, it makes you proud!

It makes you happy and it makes you feel like you have conquered something so many are scared to do. So chase your dreams girls! Lets show the world that we are equal and we can smash out anything thrown our way.

Do you have any encouragement for female plumbers finding it tough to keep working towards their licenses?

Licenses are a substantial part of your trade. Getting your licence means working for yourself, working for yourself means more $$$, more money means MORE FUN & MORE ADVENTURES! So do it! Take the plunge, I mean you have come this far, what’s a little more night school matter?

What do you like to do in your spare time? What hobbies do you have outside of work?

If you don’t already know I am quite the adventurous type! I am always doing something crazy, and always stepping out of my comfort zone. I feel life is too short and I have to make the most of it.  I mean what good is life if it isn’t on the edge? I use to be your usual average joe who didn’t care for much. When I was 19 I bought a house with my (ex) boyfriend, I got a loan out for a brand new car, I even bought a pet pig! (Actually his name was Constable Crackles and he was pretty bloody cool!)

But then one day I woke up, I realised… this isn’t what I wanted, I don’t want the average life! I want to do something that makes me happy. I didn’t want to impress the world and do things that is considered ‘acceptable’ or the ‘right way’ to live. So after only 1 month of moving into my first house with my boyfriend I decided to call it quits. I sold the house, moved back in with my parents, sold my car and gave my pig to a friend from work. Something that morning made me think, I wanted to live life for the experiences, not for the money.

I sold all my possessions and began to travel Australia, still doing what I love (plumbing) on the way. But now I just see life in a different perspective.  I want to work to live not live to work! What is your dream life? Is it close to what you are doing now? If it isn’t how can you change it? What can you do to be completely happy? It may not be beauty therapy or it may not be plumbing, but in the end all that matters is you take the plunge, take the plunge to do something AMAZING!

Step out of your comfort zone and go chase your dreams, no matter what they are, you will not regret it! TRUST ME!

Isn’t Aimee’s life journey, one that shows a different way for a woman to get involved in plumbing, yet still live a life that’s true to what she wants? Aimee’s story is proof that you can not predict where a career in trades will take you.

If you want to follow Aimee’s Adventures, check out her blog here, and you can follow her on Instagram here.


Thank you Aimee for sharing your story. Your enthusiasm for life is refreshing.

Do you want to share your trade story on The Plumbette? Just reach out to my via my contact page.

 

 

Before and After: The Kitchen Renovation That Has Allowed For Better Family Interactions

By
Rebecca Senyard
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0
kitchen renovation before and after

Have you ever walked into a display home and questioned the design of a kitchen? While many display homes are built to show what a builder can do, the design of certain spaces can be a point of concern for many.  The right configuration of an open planned kitchen can provide so many benefits to a family that live with the design. This before and after of a kitchen renovation in a family home, shows how an original design can be improved to maximise the living space adjoining the kitchen.

In today’s post, I’m sharing a friend’s newly renovated kitchen. The before and after photos show how some simple changes to the layout of the kitchen bench, can have an incredible effect on the size and layout of the living space. And the new kitchen looks amazing.

This was the kitchen before the renovation.

kitchen before renovation

kitchen before

And the kitchen after the renovation.

kitchen renovation after

The kitchen was installed and project managed by Ryan from Next Bespoke Homes. The reno took approximately 3 weeks from demo to completion.

Jenny, the owner of the kitchen, explained, “Not only has the reno provided more storage space, but created more space in our family living areas of the house.

“The island bench is great – I like how I can wash-up whilst the kids finish up opposite me and we can still engage in conversation.”

kitchen renovation after bench

Jenny said they saved on their kitchen renovation by shopping around online. They sourced the tile splashback online, as well as the appliances and tap.

kitchen renovation after

The black sink and mixer are both from Oliveri. It certainly modernises the kitchen and fits well with the overall colour scheme.

oliveri kitchen sink and mixer
Kitchen Mixer: Mito Right Angle Mixer Kitchen Sink: Santorini Double Bowl Black Undermount Sink

The charcoal and white cabinetry is what is called the ‘tuxedo’ look in kitchens. The mix of handles shows you can have the best of both worlds when it comes to deciding what’s practical for cupboards and drawers.

kitchen renovation after

Best of all, the neutral colour scheme allows for coloured appliances to add a pop of colour.

While having a new kitchen and appliances is exciting enough, the benefit of having a more open planned space, allows for better family interactions and subsequent memories as the kids grow up.

kitchen renovation before and after

Thank you Jenny for allowing us to see your new kitchen. It shows how a new configuration can add so much value to a home.

If you have recently renovated a space in your home and would love to be featured on The Plumbette, feel free to contact me. I’d love to feature work by tradies as well. 

The Mattress of my Dreams Was Delivered in a Box – A Review on the Sleep Republic Mattress

By
Rebecca Senyard
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1
The Mattress of my Dreams Was Delivered in a Box – A Review on the Sleep Republic Mattress

If you’ve been curious about the mattress in a box phenomenon that has swept over the internet, you haven’t been the only one. I became more interested in the product when we needed to replace our mattress. I was skeptical at first, but after a bit of research and a trial, I thought I’d share my experience with the Sleep Republic mattress. It certainly lived up to the experience ‘Where Dreams Are Made.’

where dreams are made sleep republic mattress

Now some people who have come through my home, have never heard about how you can now buy mattresses in a box. But those of you that like to hang out on Facebook, it’s one of the ads that infiltrate our news feeds – well at least it does with mine. That and ekoWorx.

I had been seeing the ads for some time and we were in the market for a new mattress, but like a lot of things online, purchases can go pear shaped if they are the wrong fit or don’t do as expected. A mattress is a big investment because you spend at least 6 hours a night on it. It’s crucial for sleep and a supportive mattress is important for good health and wellbeing.

We didn’t realise we needed a new mattress until we noticed some of the health symptoms. For me, it was lower back pain. Even my Shakti mat could only do so much to relieve the tension.

Our mattress was over 12 years old. It had been purchased before we got married. It’s done good innings.

It’s supported a newly wedded husband and wife as they’ve slept, and vigorous exercise that resulted in 3 babies.

My side of the bed has had to support my pregnant frame which pushed over 100kg for approximately 4 months of each pregnancy. It then cradled a mum with a nursing newborn.

It was any wonder the mattress was needing to be replaced. I would get out of bed every morning from the middle of last year, complaining of lower back pain.  Our mattress was no longer working for us and it needed to be replaced as soon as possible.

However, if there is one expense that we often choose to live with that can affect our health, it would be a mattress. (For others, avoiding a dentist would be a close second). Mattresses are EXPENSIVE. Like most Australians, we headed to the major retail stores to lay on a few mattresses to test out what we liked. Jacob and I both like medium to firm mattresses. But one brand’s firm may be a medium to another. We spent a couple of  hours one morning bouncing from one mattress to another and we were able to narrow down our choices on two mattresses that were in the vicinity of $2,500 to $5,000. Whoa.

We walked out of the stores to think about which mattress we’d go ahead and purchase and then I remembered the mattresses in a box. What would they be like? I knew they would be considerably cheaper, but would they be just as supportive and have the same warranty?

I headed to The Plumbette Facebook page and asked if you had purchased a mattress in a box, and would you recommend a particular brand. Some of you swore by your mattress, others of you were still testing it out, and others direct messaged me to say they returned their mattress because it didn’t meet expectations or had a strange smell.

I ended up doing research on some of the brands that were suggested, and then I came across Sleep Republic. Now the reason Sleep Republic caught my eye was because their video explained (and showed) how many HD pocket springs were in their mattress. I remember one of our favourite mattresses we tested had a similar configuration, but with metal springs. I had a good feeling about the Sleep Republic mattress and before I knew it, after an initial enquiry, I was sent a mattress to test and review.

the plumbette sleep republic review

And test it, Jacob and I did. And we LOVE it. The Sleep Republic mattress certainly lives up to its slogan, where dreams are made. Who knew the mattress of my dreams would be delivered IN A BOX?! We have had the mattress since the beginning of November 2017 and I no longer have a sore back when I get out of bed.  It’s been a dream to sleep on. It really has.

bec and jacob with sleep republic mattress

Delivery

I was super impressed with the delivery. I had a call from Sleep Republic before the mattress was sent to ensure there was a safe place for the mattress to be delivered if I was out. It was also important to find a place that was dry in case of rain.

I had the call on a Wednesday and my mattress was delivered on Friday morning, while I was doing the school drop off. It was raining that day, so the delivery driver wheeled the mattress to the back of my property so it was secure and out of the rain. A+ for delivery.

box outside sleep republic

Unpacking the mattress from the box

The box has a handle at the top when it’s vertical and wheels, so you can wheel it easily to where you want to unroll it. I found it awkward to get the mattress out of the box because it is quite heavy. Jacob had to help me lift the rolled mattress onto our bedframe.

ready to unroll sleep republic mattress

onto the bedfram

You get a plastic tool with an inner blade to undo the plastic around the mattress to allow it unfold. It’s really important to follow the instructions that come with the mattress. The blue plastic must be cut first. Once this is removed, the inner clear plastic film that has been vacuum-sealed around the mattress needs to be removed.

sleep republie tool

At first I thought I had undone the wrong end and I could hear the mattress expand. I was unsure whether it would flip out in front of me, but it didn’t. It unrolled abruptly and instantaneously inflated. Once I got all the plastic off the mattress, I let it sit in our bedroom for a few hours to air out. I got Jacob to take a video of me undoing the mattress. Of course, while the filming of this happened, Phoebe came in to check on the progress. The mattress was on our bedframe in a matter of minutes.

We noticed there was a smell when unwrapping the mattress, but it was from the plastic, not the mattress itself. Nevertheless, we opened the windows and allowed the mattress to sit and ‘air’ before we made the bed.

The smell was gone once the plastic was placed in the bin and the room had been aired for an hour or so.

First night of sleep

The first night of sleep on our Sleep Republic mattress was brilliant. The mattress itself has a cushioned top layer, which is still firm, but so comfortable.

sleep republic close up of mattress

Both Jacob and I have slept well since sleeping on the mattress. There has been no compromise on our back and we haven’t noticed any sagging or indentations. The mattress hasn’t been hot to sleep on, which can be a common problem with latex mattresses.

sleep republic mattress by the plumbette

The increased pocket springs in the mattress means there is better support for both partners on a bed. We have a queen mattress, and tossing and turning no longer wakes either of us up. We’ve put the mattress to various tests for sleep and extracurricular activities. It certainly gets the tick of approval from us.

The specifics

You can check out the mattress composition on the Sleep Republic website here. Each mattress comes with a 12 year warranty.

There is free delivery included (within Australia) when you purchase the mattress and this includes to regional areas.

sleep republic mattress in a box

There is peace of mind every step of the way with the purchase of a Sleep Republic mattress.

Overall, I am impressed with the mattress quality from Sleep Republic. So much so, that I tell everyone about our mattress as soon as they see the box in my office. It’s near the entry way of our house, so it’s pretty hard to miss.

sleep republic mattress in a box

If you are going to go down the mattress in a box route (which I highly recommend you do because savings and comfort), do buy Sleep Republic. While I may have been gifted a mattress, I did a lot of research on many of the brands beforehand. Also a handy tip to know – if after 100 days, you’re not satisfied with your mattress, you will get your money back, but the mattress will be donated to the Salvation Army as it can’t be placed back in the box. You can check out more about the mattress on the Sleep Republic website.

Have you bought a mattress in a box before? Heard about the Sleep Republic mattresses? When was the last time you bought a mattress?

Disclosure: I was gifted a queen sized Sleep Republic mattress for the purpose of this review. This post has been written in accordance with my disclosure policy. 

When Our Taps Run Out of Water – Should Australia be Worried About The Cape Town Water Crisis?

By
Rebecca Senyard
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7
When Our Taps Run Out of Water – Should Australia be Worried About The Cape Town Water Crisis?

Have you ever thought about what would happen when our taps run out water? Yesterday, I contemplated the gravity of this crisis because Cape Town will be potentially facing this prospect in 10 weeks’ time.

Right now, Cape Town is having a drought and their water supplies are dwindling – despite tough water restrictions. The Guardian reported on the extent of the water crisis in the South African capital, with a ‘Day Zero’ prediction for the 16th of April 2018. This will be when the dam capacity drops to 13.5 percent and engineers will be told to turn the water valves off to 75% of homes, which will affect millions of residents. No longer will they be able to turn a tap on to get water.

water turned off water restrictions in cape town

What happens when there is no water running to our taps?

There’s no turning on the tap to fill a glass with water when thirsty.

No showers after a hard day at work.

no water Cape Town Crisis

No water to flush toilets. Ok for number 1’s, but when someone’s done a number 2? SHUDDER.

No turning on the dishwasher to clean dishes.

No turning on of the washing machine to wash clothes.

Some of these everyday habits and chores have been put to bed by most of the Cape Town residents to meet the tight water restrictions.

When you list all the basic hygiene needs and household chores that require water, you realise how much we rely on water to meet those needs.

When the valves are turned off in Cape Town, citizens will need to get themselves to one of the 200 water collection points around the city to get their supply of water, which is to be rationed at 25 litres of water per person per day.

Currently the water is restricted to 50 litres per person per day. There are large fines in place if the consumption goes over that limit.

While the restricted water per person is dire enough,  I just can’t contemplate not having a tap to grab water from. And then being only able to use 25 litres of water per day.

Average Water Consumption, Per Person, Per Day, in Brisbane

When I look at my water bill, Queensland Urban Utilities records we use 517 litres per day. That’s approximately 103 litres of water per person, per day in our house. It could be better. And we did use more water this summer with our inflatable water slide. But we do make a conserved effort to bath three kids at once, only do full loads of washing, put the dishwasher on once every few days and rarely water the garden or wash the car.

And yet maybe we should contemplate getting our water usage lower because Brisbane will face another drought, without a doubt. In fact our dam levels are being monitored by water officials right now as the combined levels are currently at approximately 70%, but it’s predicted they will drop after having a fairly dry winter and summer, and not much rainfall. There has also been an increase in consumption in South East Queensland, due to the hot summer we’ve had.

Droughts and Floods in Brisbane

When I started my apprenticeship in 2006, Brisbane was experiencing a drought and water restrictions were in place. Our plumbing business was flat out because there was a push for buildings to comply to the water restrictions and change their bathrooms to water saving fixtures. If they didn’t meet the restrictions by a certain date, they would get a ridiculous fine of around $100,000. Dual flush toilets, waterless urinals and water restricted taps and shower heads were part of the water saving plan.

And then 5 years later, we had the Brisbane floods, where our dams came to full capacity. And water conservation was put to the back of our minds because there was so much water. We had TOO much water.

With our current summer being one of the driest and hottest on record, water consumption has increased per household. Seqwater have reported that consumption levels of water per day, per person have jumped from 156 litres to 185 litres and 2018 will be the year that voluntary water restrictions will be introduced, when the combined dam levels drop below 70%.

When you compare the scenarios between Cape Town and Brisbane, it may look like we have nothing to worry about. There are other cities like Melbourne and Perth, that have it much worse than we do and there are regional towns in Australia, where water restrictions have been the norm for many years.

But complacency can be our downfall and we can be too quick to forget how quickly supplies can dwindle, if they aren’t monitored and managed well.

Everyone has a part to play in conserving water. But often, unless it becomes a crisis, we don’t act until it’s too late.

teaching kids how to be water wise
Me and Mags at her Kindy learning about water conservation

Considering the inconvenient implication of not having running water through my tap and having to drive somewhere to get my water, certainly makes me want to think more about my water consumption. I certainly don’t want that to happen to Brisbane. But it will if we don’t make changes now.

The water crisis in Cape Town should be making all cities around the world – especially the western world, to consider how they can avoid a similar crisis.

I wouldn’t want to be living in Cape Town right now. Water is essential to life. Industries like tourism will suffer, because who wants to visit a city with no water? No one.

Water is a precious resource we need to conserve. It’s never too early to change a habit to preserve the future. I much prefer to get into the habit to conserve what I use now, than to be forced to when a water crisis unfolds. Wouldn’t you?

If you would like inspiration on how to save water around the home, you can check out:

30 Ways to Save Water Around the Home

30 ways to save water at home the plumbette

30 ways to save water outside home the plumbette

Have you been following the water crisis in Cape Town? How would you react if your taps ran out of water?

Sorry, Who Are You?

By
Rebecca Senyard
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7
sorry who are you?

When I was an early teen in high school, I had a somewhat humiliating experience at school that confused me. It wasn’t publicly humiliating – thank goodness, but it was enough to make me slightly wary of saying hi to this person again.

A family friend who was a bit older than me (maybe 5 or 6 years older) whom I had known quite well acted as if he had never known me. I still to this day don’t know if it was intentional or he was just joking around to make me feel awkward.

He was in the courtyard of my high school, talking to his cousin.  I walked up to him to say hi and to find out how he was going as it may have been a year since we’d seen each other last. When I said hi, he looked at me blankly as if he had never met me.

“Sorry I don’t know who you are.”

There was silence while I figured out what to say next. I may have then stuttered my parent’s names and  how we used to go to the same church. There was no possibility in my mind that he wouldn’t recognise me because we had grown up together through similar church circles, had played in the church orchestra together – there were too many other events where our families had been around each other for him NOT to remember me.

I knew he would definitely remember my parents because he and my dad played a similar instrument and my parents had been his Boys’ Brigade leaders. Yet still there was a half-smile and a cock of the head as if he had no idea who I was. And again repeated ‘sorry,’ with a shrug of his shoulders.

My best friend was standing next to me while the conversation unfolded and she could see the awkwardness. She dragged me away. I was so embarrassed about the encounter. Humiliated even.  I explained to her ‘that was so weird. This guy knows me. We’re family friends!’

I didn’t know if he was being an ass and playing a game on me to embarrass me, or whether he had a brain injury that I didn’t know about.

For me, all I remember was the burning sensation of my cheeks with embarrassment and confusion at not being remembered or recognized. I also felt uncomfortable that it had played out in a public area in high school. While not many kids were around, I still felt humiliated.  What a loser to say hi to someone who didn’t remember you.

That memory popped up into my mind this week after I hung up on a call that upset me.

It upset me more than I expected because of events leading up to the call.

Last October, you may have remembered I wrote a post about how I needed to change. It was a post that many of you resonated with.

The post was written because I had put up for far too long with something I had the ability to walk away from. But I was hesitant. The circumstances became so dire I made an ultimatum with the business and myself because I just couldn’t keep working with really bad pay conditions.

And so I was in a position where I needed to find something to replace that income. I wasn’t sure what I was looking for, but knew it would find me… or I would find it.

The solution… or so I thought

I thought I had found what I needed before Christmas. Which was going to be great timing because: Christmas, Back to School Costs, New Laptop for Esther and all of the bills that don’t take a holiday during the holidays. Ha!

I had two interviews, emails, brief calls about the work I would do. It all sounded so promising, but once I had done the work, the communication ceased. Documents that I needed to sign weren’t sent and while I delivered what was discussed, the other party did not. In fact my phone call on Tuesday morning was met with, ‘Sorry, who are you?’

This time, I wasn’t embarrassed. More stunned about the situation and incredulous that I had found yet another dead end, and had possibly been used in the process.

upset bec

I shared my photo on Tuesday, with my tear streaked face because running a business and being a freelancer is not easy, and there are times when you run a business and it downright sucks and all you can do is cry. While I have tried to not have all my eggs in one basket… when some of those baskets disappear and there are no baskets coming in to replace them… I get a bit anxious.

On Tuesday I realised I had wasted my time and I had been let down. My confidence was low. I’d found another company that didn’t value what I did. It also put me in a tough spot because I’m not sure when or if I will get paid for the work I did in December.

Faith in action

Leading into this year, I have been praying for a better 2018. A year of stability with work. And so far… it’s been a bit uneasy. Yet the words that have been spoken into my life have been to Be Still, Trust God and Rest in Him, because I’ve been a bit like the hamster on the wheel and haven’t got anywhere.

I’m not doing so well on the Be Still part. And the evidence of my trusting could be seen from that teary photo. I have been trusting – but I’ve been trusting in an outcome, not on God.  The rest or sleeping is coming easy. Sleep has been my escape because I’ve been exhausted.

God uses struggle for refinement

But this is what faith is all about. It’s trusting when there is confusion. It’s trusting when it’s painful and upsetting. It’s trusting when things don’t work out (how you think). It’s trusting when things don’t seem fair.

I know I’ve got to confidently hold to the promises in scripture. But I’ve been a bit like Peter walking on the water, and I feel like I’ve been swallowed by the waves.

Thank you

Your comments encouraged me on Tuesday. They really did. They reminded me that I wasn’t alone – as many of you have cried tears of despair before, and were able to share tips on how to recover from such upsetting calls. I will compile a list into a blog post because there were some great suggestions.

Where to from here

I will continue to plod along with my existing work opportunities. I have a terrible habit of focusing on the bad, and not praising the good. I’ve acquired two new opportunities that excite me and really challenge me – but they haven’t completely replaced what I’m looking for. But I’m grateful and hopeful.

If your 2018 hasn’t quite gone how you expected, know that you’re not alone. A promise of a new year doesn’t equal a promise of a year without problems. Problems build character, resilience and your trust in your creator. And it can be hard, painful and unnerving because you realise while there are some things you can control there are many things that you can’t.

practice the pause

When work is a bit crazy, being still and pausing is the next best move. And have a cry to let out the emotions. (I can say from experience, it helped)

How has 2018 gone for you so far? Had any wins? Ever had someone not recognise you or remember you?

 

 

 

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