Urban Princess

Smiling to myself.

Yesterday when I got out of bed, I was completely resolved that my day was going to suck. How possibly can you create a good day from getting up at 7 am on a Saturday morning. But as often is the case, fate had a different idea. I had been dreading my semi mother in laws brunch since she first asked me but as Chris so often points out I am not very good at saying No. So at 7 am I rolled out of bed leaving my blissfully sleeping partner behind. I got myself breakfast, started to pack and then headed up stairs to do my make up. I knew it was getting close to 9 and Chris's Dad had promised to come get me at 9.30. Even though I was more ready than usual I was still a little flustered about getting everything done on time. As I stood behind the bathroom door attempting to put mascara on without poking myself in the eye, I was aware of a familiar creak in the hallway. Then there he was... standing in just his underwear, looking sleepy and still warm from bed. My heart skipped a beat as I tried to wish him good morning and apply eye Shadow at the same time. I had not expected him to be up before I left, so I was a little surprised. He came up behind me and gave me a big lazy good morning hug and just like that my mind was somewhere else. Torn between the thought of his father being here in 20 minutes and going back to bed with half finished make up. Oh god why do you tempt me so!!! He could see the indecision on my face and quickly reminded me that now was not the time. Bugger. He left me there in the bathroom. Alright I can do this. I was half dressed in my white shirt and underwear but was unsure if I should where a skirt or jeans. There where going to be a lot of old people there and no doubt Vicky would want to show my off but I feel more comfortable in Jeans. Hmm better go ask Chris. I found him sitting on the edge of the bed starring into the closest. I went to sit on his lap, kissed him and was about to ask him about jeans or a skirt...Eh but it would appear that he had changed him mind. I never really considered us as the quicky type, how wrong was I.

Having regained composure, dressed and just figured out where I was before I lost track... there was a knock at the door. Chris's dad was here, didn't really seem to matter anymore. I couldn't wipe the smile of my face. The brunch went for around 2 hours and I was the youngest in the room by 30 years. I had planned to hide in the corner and read a book but being in a better mood I decided it was less antisocial to help out in the kitchen. Well that was a side of old Lady's I have never seen before and better yet my cupcakes where a huge hit, there wasn't any to bring home. Before I knew it the brunch was over.

 Chris and I had arranged to meet back at his parents. Just as promised he was there waiting for me when we had finished. We had agreed to stay and have dinner with his parents for tea rather than making a second trip today. I was a little worried about what we would do all afternoon. Yet another unfounded concern. As it happened the RAW has its 800 th show airing and we cuddled up on the couch to watch it. Well Chris watched it and I drifted in and out of sleep but I was happy because he was happy. After wrestling Chris suggested we go for a walk along the river. If I had of taken the camera thats what todays photo would have been of. It was so beautiful and I got to learn more about Chris's childhood. We stopped along the bank a way if and he tried to teach me to skip rocks across the water. I got 2 he got 4 massive jumps. It was a beautiful afternoon and just another great unique memory I get to hold on too. He bought me an ice cream and we walked back to the car. We spent the rest of the afternoon in comfortable silence together. Chris on the laptop and me absorbed in a book till dinner time. After dinner we came home but we where rather tired and it was an early night. I had really good dreams though and I don't think I stopped smiling all day.

 

The Sea of Pink Cupcakes.

Ohh I'm stuffed. What a day. I got up just after Chris left for work as his parents usually show up friday morning. So it was hardly a surprise when they where on my door step at 9.30. I agreed to go out to coffee with them but on the way they wanted to do the weekly shop. Before to long it had taken up my entire morning. Oh well.

I sat for maybe 15 minutes to have lunch and then I remembered I had promissed to make cupcakes for my mother in laws pink ribbon brunch tomorrow. Doesn't it seem like I am always baking? How did this come about? I don't think I'm a perticually good cook. I spent my afternoon in a sea of pink cupcakes. I made 40 from scatch and piped the icing as well. Only now I'm sticky from head to toe. I will diffinatly need a shower before tomorrows brunch. Oh well.

Now it's pushing 5.30 and Chris is due home from work any minute now. The kitchen looks like a bomb hit it. I haven't even thought about what I am going to do for dinner. It rained all day and I have got no washing done. Found no time to study, didn't even get a chance to make the the phone calls on my to do list. *Sigh*.

Oh Well... there is always tomorrow.

And just like that the world righted itself...

Wow, where have the months gone? I have so much to tell you all. The mind just boggles. So rather than trying to fill you in on absolutely everything thats happened over the past six months I'll try to break it down and add bits here and there while trying to keep you up with the days. Make any sense? No I didn't think so.

Alright well I guess the best place to start would be where I left off. Shortly before I vanished I was telling you all about "our" first house. To this day I am still very much in love with it. We are finally settled in...

well clearly some are more settled in than others. Mica has officially claimed her own room where she sleeps on the bed that was there for guests. She keeps her toys in there and it just so happens that the window in the room has a bench seat, where her dad put a pillow and where she now spends most of her days.

Chris and I share the large master bedroom on the top floor that overlooks the city. I can't help but smile to myself some mornings when I see the view. I think not to long ago I told you all you that I wasn't sure where Chris and I where heading. Since then we have been through some really tuff times. Money is still a concern but in this day and age when is it not. I took an emotional battering in July but like to think I came out the other side a little stronger and a little wiser. But as for us... I'm not sure we have been better. The two of up being together in our own house has really solidified the idea of family in me and my heart just squeals with joy at the ability to see him walk through the door of an evening and say "How was your day, honey?" - Little credit people I was raised by my grand parents.  The house stays neat. Chris is an exellent provider and I would like to think I make a good house girlfriend. And the better we know and connect the better the sex. 

I might be just young and not have grasped it all yet but does it amaze anyone else that you can think your having great sex and then something happens and then it gets even more great? I mean Im at the "great" right now where you wake up the next morning and your thought hurts even though you didnt think you where that loud but the neighbours are giving you dirty looks? Well the looks could be just in my head.

Uni is ploding along. Australian university's have just introduced the Trimester year so instead of having a long some you can choose to speed up your course and take classes over the summer. As I didn't really perform to my best this year I have decided to take a couple over the summer. Right now I am just finishing up exams for semester two and will get straight back into the 3rd semester (yes I know it's actually trimester but I just hate the word) next week when I return from my last exam.

As for what I have been up to lately... Yesterday I watched 5 hours of the US elections partly out of my own intrest and partly due to my degree. For many months I have been reading political blogs and such and I thought pehaps today I would share some oppions from my side of the world. I personally an relieved that Obama won, I just hope he can keep his promiss's. Bush was not good for world politics and he burnt Macain's chances almost from the get go. Palin is little more to us hear than a Saturday Night Live sketch. Sad but true. I really do hope and pray this is the change the world needs because the more I look around the less anything makes sense to me. For to long it has just seemed like stupid decissions for stupid reasons and while American thinks they vote for themselves, they fail to see just how it impacts the rest of us. Or maybe they have. Maybe the world woke up yesterday morning and began to right itself. One can only hope.

My best friend was less intrested in fact she was a little pissed at Australian Broadcasters. In Australia we have 5 major free to air channels. 4 of the 5 were streaming NBC, CNN and other American Election night programs. For those who fail to see the relevants, this became a note of contention. *Sigh* some people seem to have no fore thought. 

Anyway it's best I not get to bogged down in polotics. I could be here forever. Just two more quick points before I sign off for the day. The design of my blog has been changed. It is in dire need of a revamp, I will attempt to get to it when I have the time. Finally I would like to give a shoot out and a big thanks to reader that went to all the effort of tracking me down. You know who you are. I am very greatful for the kick in the pants that bought be back to my blog.

Well its been awhile...

I can't believe how long its been since I have written here. I missed it, but I just haven't had the time lately. Blogging has been on my to do list for almost 2 weeks. If I had thought last month was crazy this one has just blown them all away. The beginning of the Month saw Chris's Mums 60th Birthday. Thinking it was going to be a small party I offered to make the cake. I was later informed it would feed 40. The days leading up to the party I was really stressed about it. I had never made a cake that big and we really didn't even have the kitchen supplies. You think I'm kidding? We don't even electric betters, let alone two cake tins that match. Chris asked me one night what I was going to do... "Im going to go shopping for all the ingredients tomorrow, spend the next day praying it will work out and I will bake it the morning of the party.". Turns out praying does work, cause it sure wasn't my cooking skills that made it a success.

Chocolate Cake, Chocolate icing with whipped cream center and white chocolate stars. All credit for the icing goes to Chris as I cant make icing to save my life I don't know why.

The party it self was was really good. It took place in the small town where Chris's parents live about half an hour down the road. It was at the local pub in the bistro. My grandfather came up for the party but I spent most the night talking to Chris's family. Thats something Im really grateful for, Chris's family has taken me in as one of their own, which is a lot more than they have done for him. More on that later. Day after was paintball training. It was the first time I had trained in 3 months. Last time I tried I just got smacked to hell with paint and left feeling frustrated and annoyed. Jeremy took a lot of time out to work with me this time and I felt like I was actually learning something.

Please excuse my fat butt. I do not encourage these photos. Thats Jeremy in the background. Chris was taking photos. I think he is just so proud of his paintball princess.

The weekend after we moved into out new house. It was a rather big affair even though it was only two blocks away. A couple of nights before the move I lay in bed thinking, 'This is it, this is really going to be our first house'. It suddenly dawned on me just how serious Chris and My relationship is. This is nothing new for Chris but it's something Im having a little trouble living up too. We have now been in our new house for a week and a half. There wasn't nearly as many fights as I thought there would be as to the layout of the house. The ADSL line was installed on Monday and that was a big hallmark of life returning to normal. Still another week or two till the the pay t.v. is installed. 

University wise this semester is in the home stretch. I submitted my last Anthropology Assignment last Thursday, International Relations on Monday, History on Wednesday and tomorrow my Final Essay is due for the semester in Australian Politics. Its been draining but I am proud that I pulled though. Saturday I start on a month long heavy study timetable in the lead up to exams.

Tomorrow I start therapy. Im really not looking forward to it but there are some answers I need, that I just cant seem to get round here. I know everyone has problems but I feel a little stuck and I just don't know how to get unstuck. I love Chris more than anything I just wish our communication was better. Anyway...

Crazy April.

What a month its been, we have lost a housemate, found a new house, gone into assignment overload and out the other side, fitted in two paintball tournaments and a couple of fights along the way. Changes just keep creeping up on you. I guess Im just feeling the after shock. We have exactly 10 days to be out of the house and into the new one. We have to have this house cleaned from top to toe. On top of that there will be people coming through this house and we still have Chris’s Mums birthday this weekend. Oh and I have 3 assignments due in the next 2 weeks. I know it sounds daunting but if we make through to other side I will be so proud of us. This will be our biggest hurdle so far I think.

Today is also significant as it will also be my 50th post. I don’t know about you but with out my blog I think I would be very tightly wound. It’s also given me a place to reflect on myself. Prior to this year I cant really say that I have looked back on what I have become. So in the spirt of celebration here is the list of the top 5 things I have accomplished since this blog began in January:

1. Our House - As stated in my most recent blog we got our first house together. Its a big step in my life and one I am really looking forward to.

2. My Second Year of University - It took me three freaking try’s but I finally made it to my second year of university. I think it helps that I finally found a course I love.

3. My first Paintball Tournament - I went, I played, I sucked but I pushed myself to the limits. It nice sometimes to try something new.

4.The Maroon 5 Concert - I go to one concert a year. This one really rocked.

5.Hyper Web Designs - Chris’s business final has the ground work done now and I know that he is just going to do great things with it.

*Laugh* Looking at that list I’ve had a good year. Maybe I should just stop while I’m ahead. No, things are going to be very different soon. I just cant wait for the adventures ahead.

Our House.

Even writing those words overwhelms me with joy. I can not believe the day is finally here. Today we got a offer on a lease for a place Chris and I have been looking at for about a fortnight now. It will officially be our house. OUR FIRST HOUSE! Actually its all happened rather quickly. We saw it on the thursday, Submitted the paper work on the friday, had a walk throw on the monday and a week an a half later we got the phone call. We sign a lease this week and we pick the keys up in less than two. It was the first and only house we applied for this time. Which actually blows my mind a little because going into Christmas last year we searched high and low for a place and put in mountains of paper work to no avail. Even Chris didn’t think it would be this easy. He sat me down and told me not to get my hopes up but I told him from the start that it was our house. I knew within my heart of hearts. Actually from the picture it looks like a barn. But it has a lovely lounge and dinning area and a small kitchen but more usable than the one we have. Its also got an indoor laundry and built in wardrobes, a luxury we don’t have in our current place. The bottom floor also has a Toilet and Shower. The top floor has the three bedrooms, main bathroom and separate toilet. How cool is it that our house has an upstairs !?! You know what comes with the up stairs? A great view from the master bedroom of town and a laundry shoot. I know its just so cool! Oh and a bath, I have longed for a bath. I am so grateful to what ever powers that be that has bought this to us. Chris will be a little more excited with the finance and the moving side is all over but I think deep down he really likes the our home bit.

Lazy Lazy Sundays.

Chris and I slept in till 11 this morning. Locked in cuddles, into the silence he announces:

"We should of bought pancakes."

I guess that was just one of those momentary gems of wisdom that he blesses me with from time to time. He was right. Pancakes on a sunday morning used to be a tradition in this house. This year so far I only recall making them once and that was because we had house guests. I have really good memories of pancakes in bed, watching futurama. I've been thinking about this a lot lately, why is it that the simple things that make us so happy fall by the way side when push comes to shove? Chris loves blueberry pancakes. I just like mine with Ice cream.

Once up we settled for coco pops and tea. Since then it has been a very lazy day on the couch and love sac. Chris is watching Football (AFL) on the couch with a pillow, donna and a cat. Hawthorn doesn't play till 4 this afternoon so I guess thats where he will stay till early evening. I am possibly worse still. At least Chris is dressed. I am still in my PJ's with the electric blanket and laptop in the love sac. Oh how I love my love sac. I don't think even Chris appreciated how wonderful it was till he feel asleep in it the other day. Don't believe me, have a look for yourself: Here is an old photo of me home sick with a cold.

This is only a 6 ft sac. I used to have an 8 ft sac. I think Chris would have blown a gasket if I had got another one that size. I do need to get another cover soon though.

Anyway, I was going to study today but our whole class got a blanket extension. Yay! The only thing I have to do today is get dressed to go to KFC to pick up tea. Even then we live in Echuca so the only one who is uncomfortable with me going out in my PJs is... ME.

My Winter Page.

I have been meaning to post this for quite some time now but have never got round to it. I like most people on typepad scrapbook. Mine tend to be less professional looking than everyone elses but no one sees them anyway so I guess it doesnt matter. I made this page back in January but as the weather turned cold today I was reminded of it.

The photo was taken late last year when chris came home to find me on the couch wearing a scarf and beanie. So the green was picked to match them. I just love the way the page twinkles in the light. It took me ages to do the glitter. I think my journaling needs a little work.

Why I love my Macbook.

Ok so I have had my macbook for a little over a month now and I just thought I would share with the world my love for this really great laptop. So in tradition with the rest of the internet here is my top 10 reasons why I love my macbook.

1. Its just really easy.

Chris had prepared me for the worst. He said it would take me time to get used to the new operating system but it wasnt nearly that bad. It took me literially minutes to set up and with in an hour or two it was just as natural as my PC.

2. Leopard kicks the sh!t out of Vista.

Even as I write this I lement the fact that is has come to this. When upgrading my laptop I really didn't want to go down the vista road. I had seen the bugs for myself. Vista played a large part in move to mac and right now with all leopards advantages I cant see me going back any time soon.

3. Pages 08 is just so easy!

My laptop is prodominatly my uni computer. All my essays and reseach is done on it. When it came to writting my first assignment I trialed both Pages 08 and word for mac, I can not lie, once you grasp the principles and inspector on pages your home and hosed. Templates practicly equate to cheating. I get full formatting marks every time with no work what so ever.

4. Mac Apps.

How did I not know about this wonderful world? PC uses are dont know just how out in the cold they are. At this moment I have life shaker, mind node and DVD library running. All my uni notes are in Circus Ponie Notebooks. Best of all, Assignment planner keeps me in track like nothing I have ever come across.

5. Its just so PRETTY!

I scratch my macbook in the first week. I didnt mean to but all my laptops have had hard lives. My HP had this massive black scratch across its silver finish. You could see it from Mars on a good day. My Macbook scratches are practicly invisable. I know Ive tried to point them out to my boyfriend. And how cool is the glowing apple on the front?

6. Dashboard.

Ok PC users how many times have you typed calc? If its anything like me you will know just how cool dashboard is. Why has no body though of this before. With the touch of a single button I have acess to a calculator, Calender, Diconary and my twitter. Its just so user friendly.

7. Compatibility.

I had reservations to begin with about the compatiblity of word and pages. All my uni stuff comes in, in .doc form and has to go out the same way all in all apple really has made it easy. I doubt my lecturers even know that it was done on a mac and that the way I like it.

8.Battery life and Charger.

Do you ever do something really stupid and then think 'god that could have turned out bad'? Well if it wernt for Apples magnetic charger I dont know that I would still have a laptop. As for the battery, I dont know exactly how long it lasts but I know that it lasts the long enough not to disturb my honey if I leave the charger in our bedroom after his gone to bed. There is normally a 3 hour gap between our bed time.

9.The light on the front.

I used to have this really bad habit of getting distracted and walking away from the laptop and coming back to find it flat. My Macbook flashes if its still on and it helps to remind me that I have shut it without turning it off. Its just another great design feature.

10. iphoto.

Organisation is the key to success and I was just so sick of searching folders and files on a PC. Easy to use and great design what more can I say. Makes blogging so much easier.

Don't get me wrong, it has bad points. The speakers suck! Its not enough to stop my mac obsession, I think by the end of the year I will upgrade my PC to an Imac.

So is "committed" a good word or a bad word?

What a week, On Sunday night Chris kicked out our housemate and his girlfriend + kids. They have not been back since. I know I wrote in a post not so long ago that I had actually dreamed out this day but now that its here... well... I had a freak out. I love Chris but at the same time I try very hard to ignore how serious we have gotten. Its not a reflection on 'us', more on my history. In the past I thought I was serious and committed to someone and visa versa, when it was clear to the world I was deluding myself. This time I decided not to put myself through that again. So when it suddenly dawned on me, this is it, it's just Chris and I from here on out a freak out followed. If that was not bad enough I was stupid enough to admit it to Chris. Needless to say he didn't take it well. Having now got over my trepidation I would like to share with you the up sides of just 'us':

- Go to the bathroom without getting fully dressed.
- Get to sleep longer in the mornings.
- Less dishes.
- Prospects of play outside the bedroom.
- Better Meals.
- No fighting for TV or Computer.
- Cleaner house.
- Quieter house in which to study.
- No Screaming children or Manipulative Girlfriends (Unless Chris has a few on the side I don't know about).

Just a note on the better meals one. Since our housemate left I have really made an effort to cook meals more tailored to Chris and I. Our housemate was a picky eater and the boys didn't really like veggies but Chris is nice enough to eat what I put in front of him. Tonight we had Steamed beans, roast potatoes and home made chicken nuggets. It was more effort than I used to make but I really enjoyed it. I think Chris did too.

Oh I cleaned the house as well. Our room, the lounge, the kitchen and the spare room are all clean. Believe me that is phenomena in its self. If that wasn't strange enough I installed a shower head all by myself. I went to the hardware store, picked out the head, removed and replaced it. Cool eh? Yeah thats girl power for you!