Unboxed. Mostly.

Well, we’re in. Eight days have elapsed since we got the keys, and the place is starting to look like home. It’s been a bit strange, actually, but good strange. Looking around, it’s hard to believe that 95% of this furniture was crammed into a 3×3m room. Space – we have it.

I didn’t get my internet working until today. I signed up for mobile broadband a full week before we moved, and was told it would be activated within 4 hours of me signing the contract. When I finally got online this afternoon, I saw the activation email was dated a full WEEK AND A HALF after I signed up. Four hours my arse. Not happy – that’s a week and a half I’ll be billed for. Anyway, I’m here now. The internet break was somewhat refreshing too, but it’s good to be back!

I have yet to find my camera, but there’s very little left to unbox, so it can’t be too far away. Once everything is fully unpacked and clean, there’ll be photos, I promise!

(Oh, and after a week of cooking, cleaning and washing, I think I may just be overcoming my domestic disability.)

Confessions of a Pack-Rat

I’m a hoarder.

Sounds harsh, doesn’t it? But moving out, and having to pack my life away has made me realise I can’t remain in denial any longer.

I. Am. A. Hoarder.

Hold on, you may say. I have lived in the same house, in the same bedroom, even, for over 15 years. Anyone who stays in the same place for that long is bound to have a few extra things laying around, right? Of course. But probably not to this extent.

My first hoarding memory takes place when I was around 9. We had a “Countries” day at school, see. We each had to pick a country, and dress in its attire. Think of the Simpsons episode where Lisa ends up being the giant foamy lump of Florida – but countries. I picked Wales, of course.

The Welsh national dress looks a little something like this:

I tied for first place with a boy who threw on a potato sack and claimed he hailed from Mexico.

Anyway, I remember being upset because to make the shawl, Mum cut up one of Dad’s red singlets – one that he wore to the beach with me when I was 4. We still have the photo. I also remember looking at the photo and being sad while Mum cut up that very singlet.

That story, when I remembered it, set alarm bells ringing.

In all honesty, I have found so much crap while I’ve been packing. And yet, although I know it’s crap, I’m finding it hard to throw it away. I took the plunge and threw away a pile of old Cosmopolitan magazines that were hiding under my candle making things, and felt so proud of myself – until I realised I have several other Cosmo piles laying around.

Can I blame the family? Dad’s a hoarder.  He keeps every bit of paper he ever gets. When Mum and I cleaned out my craft cupboard, which currently resides in the corner of the living room, a whole drawer of it was empty envelopes, random flyers, and other junk, all his. Then there’s my grandfather, who had a good 80+ cameras, and thousands of photographs stashed all over his house.

I have to reform. I will no longer be allowed to hoard, according to the organised, semi-OCD man with whom I am moving out with. Apparently, when we’re in our new place, unpacking the boxes, I am supposed to go through them all and throw away anything I don’t need. Ha!

A hoarder ‘needs’ everything – this and that for a rainy day. There is a place for everything, and not everything goes in its place.

Wish me luck as I keep packing in preparation for this weekend’s move – and wish me more luck as the boxes get opened at the other end!

Movin’ on up.

We got the house!

I’m in shock. It was the first house we went and looked at, the first one we applied for, and we got it.

I’m moving… out of home. Lordy.

We signed the lease today, and paid two weeks rent up front. We pay another 4 weeks the day we pick up the keys, and then we’ve paid our bond and first two weeks rent.

The house is ours next Friday, the 26th.

It’s all happened so quickly!

Fingers crossed!

We saw the house.

We liked it.

We filled out our applications and handed them in. The property manager won’t be in until Monday, but our forms are ready and waiting on her desk. With a bit of luck, we’ll get a phone call to go down there… the receptionist said they usually like to sit down and go through your application with you.

I have a sneaking suspicion that no matter what house we end up living in, we will have too much furniture. Not a downside at all, we can pick and choose what we want, and have a garage sale for the rest. I could even put out a few of my handmade bits and pieces as a test.

In other news, my favourite three-and-a-half year old pair of jeans - which I bought to wear on my first date with Matt - ripped today. Typical – too fat to wear them for 12 months, get into them, get cosy, and they rip. The tear isn’t in an obvious place, so they can be patched, but they have now been officially demoted from “going out” jeans, to “round the house” attire.

I am now going to get changed as we are going out for dinner and can’t wear these pants…

ch-ch-ch-CHANGES

Let’s see, what’s happened in the last week?

1. One of my good friends finished up at work, because she’s moving to SWITZERLAND next month. Goodbye drinks were had, and I think I can say that I was drunk for only the 2nd time in my 21 years. Mixing drinks because the pub thinks the drink you’d prefer is too “suburban”? Not the best idea. No hangover though – I think that was sheer dumb luck.
2. I proceeded to go on a bigger-than-normal clothing shopping spree, because damnit, everything was half price (!!!), I needed new work clothes that are winter friendly, and…
3. Matt and I are HOUSE HUNTING!

(So, if we’re house hunting, and therefore need money, why did I go on a clothing binge? Well, my logic is: once we move, I won’t be able to buy stuff at will… and no matter the financial situation, I need to look damn presentable.)

We’re renting to start with. Eventually we’ll buy, but I’m thinking that may wait until after we’re married. Actually, we found a nice house online, and there’s a viewing tomorrow morning. The rent is affordable, there’s a garage, room for Matt’s beloved pool table AND the rest of our furniture. I’m excited, but nervous as hell. I know we’ll be fine, but it’s that “wow, I’m moving out of home” thing that’s getting me.

If we get this house, it fits my criteria to a T: far enough away from my parents for me to do my own washing, and close enough to bring my ironing home to Mum. You think I kid. I don’t. Mum has other ideas…

Speaking of mums, Matt’s goes back to the hospital on Tuesday (Matt’s birthday) to have a mask done of her face. Not long after this, her treatment will begin. I forget what I’ve mentioned here, but she will only be receiving 3 weeks of treatment, half the regular dosage. The doctors have said that with treatment, they estimate she’ll have around 6 months. She has the most aggressive form of brain tumour, and it’s fast growing, as well as being in a position that they definitely can’t operate on.

It’s been an interesting week, and things are about to get more so…

Birthday wishes

I made a birthday card. Not only is it the first card I’ve made in awhile, it’s the first card I’ve made in time to enter the Mojo Monday contest for this week! Woo.

So here’s what I came up with:

It’s one of the most simple cards I’ve made, but I really like it. It’s for my mother-in-law, who turns 60 on the 31st. As some of you may know, my mother-in-law has just been diagnosed with a brain tumour, which has now been confirmed as a terminal case. She’s home from hospital waiting for her treatment to start – so she will be spending her birthday at home surrounded by her kids (and me!). My efforts not only include the above card, I baked a lemon cake as well!

Family first

Matt’s mum was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour this week. I think he needs me more than the the internet does.

Biopsy results are in on Tuesday.

I’ll be around in bits and pieces. Keep us in your thoughts.

Kelly’s Hair of 2009 (aka OMG I’m a POSER)

Once again, I have made a list of things I would like to accomplish this year.
(See here if you don’t know about it.)

Since we’re now in the middle of MAY – what the hell’s happened?! – I thought it may be time for a recap of what I’ve done so far. Sadly, the answer is, not a lot. I’ve booked a cruise, and that’s about it.

Although, I have crossed one thing off my list. This year, I pledged to change my hair colour at least twice. To some, this sounds stupid, and to others who know me, it’s a cop out, because I’m always wanting to try something different. I have done as I set out to do – changed the hair, and here’s proof!

First off, a look at what I rang in the New Year with:

Blonde, with a splash of purple for my 21st. Yes, I look drunk. No, I am not.

January brought the day of reckoning, and I sat in the hairdressers chair FREAKING OUT while the colour developed, because Lord, it was dark, and if I didn’t like it… oh hell, I knew I’d love it:

From there, I felt like I needed a bit of extra colour, as seen here:

Then, last week, I swapped the brunette for something a bit more fiery:

If you’re extra observant, you’ll have noticed that my fringe is getting longer. I’m trying to grow it to a decent length. My hairdresser has a plan for my wedding hair. It involves a long fringe, and although I put up a fight at first, it’s growing on me. Ha.

I’d also like to think that between the blonde and the red photos, I’ve lost chin and gained some jawline. That could be because I’m getting better at posing at flattering angles, or maybe, just maybe, the spin classes, PT sessions and general sweating are actually starting to do something.

So, what exactly have I accomplished so far this year? Lots of colour… and I’m not done yet!

Good and Bad Wednesday.

Good: I bought new shampoo today specifically for my new red locks. It smells like raspberry!
Bad: I’m extra excited about the shampoo as a way to try and distract myself - because on this day last year, I was holding my best friend as he went to sleep for the last time.

Good: I went for a walk at lunchtime today, and worked up a slight sweat.
Bad: My walking buddy ‘dumped’ me – so from now on, lunchtime walks will be taken alone.

Good: Two more days until payday!
Bad: Credit card bill – $1300. Car registration: $600. Passport: $200. Money for cruise ticket: $500. See where I’m going with this?

Good: I’m online without being hassled by Matt for attention. (I’m not online ALL day, honest.)
Bad: I haven’t seen him since 7am this morning. He’s out playing in a pool competition.

Good: My Mother’s Day present (Pandora bracelet with a charm to start) was very well received – even Mum’s friends are jealous!
Bad: It’s Dad’s birthday on the 25th and I have NO IDEA what to get him.
(Blind antelope. No idea. No-eyed deer. Hilarious. It’s late…)

Good: I baked! Pastries! And I didn’t ruin them!
Bad: I have to wait until lunchtime tomorrow before I can try one. I couldn’t help myself. I tried one. They’re damn fine, if I may say so myself.

Good: I’m feeling affectionate – as opposed to my 6am self: “Get out of my damn face! What do you WANT?!” – plus grunting.
Bad: Matt’s not here so I have nobody to snuggle. Damn pool competitions.

Good: I have a damn good immune system. I’ve been surrounded by sick people for months.
Bad: I have a feeling that last week’s “cold” is going to develop into the flu, which is what all the said sick people have had.

Good: I’m going to bed for a good night’s sleep.
Bad: I have to be at work an hour earlier tomorrow. Sigh.

Cardly there

Okay, I admit it. My attempt at a separate craft blog has crashed and burned. I made like, two entries?

I figure that since I tend to create in short bursts, I’ll just post things here when I make something I’m particularly pleased with.

Like this here card:

I saw the idea for this in a magazine, and then tweaked it a little. I took some craft card, and painted the front with some acrylic paint. Once that dried, I stamped both the swirl and the phrase in black StazOn ink, before using watercolour pencils to jazz up the swirl. The three black dots you see under the phase are actually black rhinestones, and I finished the card with some ribbon.