Sunday, June 27, 2010

21st Celebrations

Last night I celebrated my 21st birthday. My actual birthday isn't until Wednesday, but who has a party on a Wednesday night!

It was such an awesome night! It was fantastic to see everyone dressed up and enjoying themselves. Mum and Dad did a great job organising and cooking and running the show, I can't thank them enough! Sadly my costume did not come together as well as I'd hoped (my teeth didn't stay in) but I thought I looked amazing enough =P

The night went off without a hitch (that I was aware of). By midnight we left the hall and went back to Jesse's for the unofficial 'after party'. That too went well, despite a few drunken antics. I would like to thank Tristan for keeping an eye on things, and Joel and Collie for being the 'responsible' ones. I went to bed about 2am (relatively early in the scheme of things) but late enough to see Jesse stumble around, knock things over, minorly injure himself and basically make a fool of himself. I was not impressed, but relieved that this time I was not the one to care for him - it was my 21st, the focus was supposed to be on me, and yet he seemed to become the centre of all the attention.

Perhaps there are hints of jealousy in there, but perhaps moreso of frustration. It's like he doesn't learn from the last time he drank that much, to say no, and not to drink whatever Tristan hands to you. You chastise me for drinking too much and suffering the consequences, and yet you continue to do so.

Anyway, I need to go to sleep, I'm exhausted after last night/cleaning up today. Goodnight.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Milestones

This month of June 2010 for me has created a few milestones in my life. Jesse & my Engagement Party was held on Sunday the 6th, a wonderful chance for us to catch up and celebrate with our friends and family the commitment we are making.

On Friday Jesse and I went down to Mclaren Vale and had a look at a prospective Reception location, and we both love it. We sampled their food in the restaurant for lunch, and tasted their wines in the cellar, and it was delicious!! The venue is free on the date we are looking at, and we've made a tentative booking, deposit to be paid within 2 weeks if we want it.

Yesterday my bridesmaids and my Mum and I all went shopping to look for bridesmaid dresses. While we were at Jenny & Gerry's Bridal Centre I found a style of dress and colour that I liked on all 3 girls. We decided we would also look elsewhere, but while we were there we would look at wedding gowns as well. After waiting my turn to be served a very helpful and pleasant Lara took me and the gowns I had chosen into a dressing room to see how they looked. It was the third of five gowns that I tried on that caught attention. I felt so 'bride' wearing it. It was nothing like I had pictured myself wearing, but the style and the price fitted wonderfully. And so I've paid my deposit and will pay it off via lay-by over the next 4 months. As it was stock from the floor I got an extra bit of discount. But it will need a little altering, but nothing too major!! But I have my wedding gown =D (Oh, and if Jesse asks, I look like a pink meringue)

The next milestone this month for me falls on the very last day of June - my 21st birthday, where I will officially enter adulthood (despite that for all legal reasons I was an adult on my 18th birthday). My party is something that I'm looking forward to, I've had my costume organised for weeks now! Only a few people know what it looks like, a few more know what I am going as. The theme is supernatural.

Today Jesse and I sat down with his parents to try and work out how much everything for our wedding will cost. We showed them the package we are looking at, and how much they arrange and is included in the cost. We also broke down the rest of the costs we would need to look out for and they will discuss with my parents how it is being paid for. (I tried ringing them but they were not home at the time.)

Well, I think this is a long enough entry for now. I'm sure I will have more to say closer to my party/afterwards...if I am coherant enough to write.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Time to Think

In the past week or so work has been nice and quiet, which has given me time to catch up on things. It has also given me way too much time to sit at my desk, mindlessly continue with my task, ad think about things. For me, this never ends particularly well.

On Monday I went with Mum and Rosie and had a look at a myriad of wedding dresses to see what style suited me. And we found a style that suited me...and several dresses. Problem: price tag. I know I'm probably thinking naively but I was hoping to get my dress for < $1000. The dresses I looked at generally started around $1500-1600 up to one I tried on for $3890! (It looked absolutely stunning, by the way.)

I wouldn't have too many issues spending $1500 on a particular dress I tried on in Cinderella. Problem: my bank account. It is my day, and my dress, so quite rightfully I should be the one to pay for my dress...yet I am beginning to wonder how. Lately my money has gone towards my 21st, and my tax refund will go towards my cruise holiday in August. My car needs to be serviced this month, and rego is coming up in September. And yes, while I may have the money there, I don't want to completely wipe out my savings to nothing in the process. I will need a safety net when Jesse and I move in together for any items we discover we don't have.

So my problem is this: do I buy a cheaper evening gown in white to use as my wedding dress or do I somehow find this extra money to buy the dress from Cinderella? Will I regret it? (Do I overthink these things?!)

Monday, June 7, 2010

The aftermath

Well, what a day yesterday was! I was so tired last night, and for good reason. It was Jesse & my Engagement Party...and it was so very wonderful!

The day started out lazily - I didn't end up getting out of bed until about 9, maybe 9.30. Got to 10.30 church. Mum called me pretty much 3 minutes after the service finished and said the family was meeting up for lunch at the Loby pub. So Jesse and I rushed there (rang and got mum to order for us), and had eaten and left within an hour. Coincidentally, we ran into a few of Jesse's co-workers who had also chosen to come to lunch there.

Anyway, then Jesse and I went back to his place and I got together the playlist for the afternoon. I was feeling quite rushed at this time...it was now 1.30, 1 hour till start time. I arrived at the hall at 2, and was glad to see it was finished and clean and looking quite good. The heaters worked wonderfully too, given how cold it was outside...but the weather held out!

But when people started arriving and I relaxed and just started mingling and talking to everyone (I hope I spoke to everyone!) it was amazing! I can't thank everyone enough for coming along and supporting us.

By the end of the afternoon I was exhausted, and somewhat glad to see the end of the party. After packing up and managing to fit all of the gifts into the back of the best man's Corolla we went back to mum and dad's to open them. I was so overwhelmed by everyone's generosity, I had not expected anything like this. Jesse and I are beginning to wonder now what we will actually need before our wedding!

But now I am off to go dress shopping with Mum and one of my bridesmaids, then lunch with my Dad cos it's his birthday tomorrow. Then my passport application interview!

Thank you again for everyone for coming along and supporting us, it was a wonderful afternoon! I appreciate every single one of you.