Phone calls

I had an interesting thought the other day about phone calls. For some people they can be scary, daunting, not knowing what to say and dreading freezing and not being able to answer a question or think of something to respond. For others it is second nature, an essential part of their working life.

I remember back to when I was in high school, scary to think that it was 5 years ago. I recall hour long and more phone calls with friends after school and/or after dinner even when I've spent all day with them. Since finishing high school this seems to have changed, and I wonder if it is just me. Instead I am able to see what my friends are up to every moment of the day via social networking. It started with MSN, instant messaging, then progressed to MySpace, then Facebook, and in the future it might be Twitter and Google+ or something else that is developed.

So now, in the age of social networking, have we lost the skill of a social phone call for the sake of a phone call?

Weddings

It seems as though weddings will frequent our friendship circle on a regular basis in the coming months and over the next couple years. On Saturday I had the privilege of being a bridesmaid in Rosalie's wedding (she was a bridesmaid in mine). For the middle of winter, she couldn't have had more perfect weather. It was a beautiful sunny day (albeit with a top of 14*C so it was freezing still), but in the sun wasn't as bad.

The day went (from my perspective) perfectly. Hair and makeup were done in plenty of time, the flower girls were all well behaved. No one tripped walking down the aisle, the bride had her voice back, the boys were wonderful gentlemen, and there were plenty of Mann jokes! Despite the pain of frozen and defrosting feet, shivering through the bridal party photos, it was good fun.

The reception hall looked so good too! It was so much nicer than it had been for my 21st, and (no offence to my mother) but the food was so much better!! For a cocktail style reception there was so much food - all of it delicious. Rosie put together an amazing day, and I hope she was pleased with how it all came together.

Books from shops?

It may not seem like anything out of the ordinary, especially for someone like me, who will read almost anything I get my hands on. But yesterday I went into an actual bookstore and bought books. Normally I buy them online because it's cheaper (or Big W and Kmart). I source them from both within Australia and from the UK. It was good to go into a store and browse through the books on the shelves and buy books and authors I've never heard of to see what they're like. I even bought a book of selected poetry from a poet I studied in Year 12 at school, my English teacher would be so proud.

It was the highlight to my day, which included a doctors appointment to get a new prescription, a trip to Transport SA to change my name and address on my licence, and then as I got home and started the dishwasher and washing machine the power went out. Oh joy. But it came back on in time for me to cook dinner.

Our housewarming last weekend was good fun. It was great to catch up with everyone that was able to make it. Luckily it was fairly easy to clean up the next day. Glasses in the dishwasher, rubbish into bags, empty bottles in for refund & recycling. I'm getting the hang of this dishwasher business.

This is really quite a trivial post.

Happy New Financial Year!

It has been far too long since I've posted a blog.

Over the June long weekend Jesse & I moved into our own house (that's right, we have a house!) Packing is a tiring, exhausting, frustrating and annoying task. Unpacking is much the same, but with excitement thrown into the mix. With the wonderful and invaluable help of our parents and friends we managed to move all vital items + many car loads of boxes and items on the Saturday. We were having carpets laid that day so we were only able to put items in the house as the carpet guy finished with each room, but he was long gone by the time we arrived with the truck.

Since we have moved in Jesse has put the desk in his office, he has mounted two TV's to the wall, installed 4 roof speakers and spent a lot of time in the roof running cables. Just this week we acquired 3 big book cases for me =) I filled 6 shelves immediately, though I know I have more books lying around. And there is plenty more room for the expansion of my library!

It is feeling very much like home, I have had no real issues adjusting to the idea. The only major difference is the temperature. Our first morning heading to work after moving in it was just -0.5*C, a lovely welcome.

The last two weeks have been very hard on my family emotionally, with the passing of my grandma. We went to her funeral on Tuesday and it was very special. There were so many people who came to say farewell and celebrate her wonderful life, and the love and friendship she generously gave. She will be missed, but fond memories will be held by all.

Despite the circumstances, it was good to catch up with extended family, and be able to share with them the professional photos from our wedding (I picked up the album on Sunday night!!) They turned out fabulously and I was so excited to show everyone, especially family who weren't able to make it and those I don't see very often.

Currently we are trying to tidy and set up the house as best as we can before our housewarming, so it is at least a little more presentable for our friends. There are still plenty of things to do to make the house exactly how we want it to be, and they will take time. But we have plenty of that, we will be here for a while!

30 April 2011

Jesse and I have been married for 3 weeks now, and I can't stop looking at my rings. Our wedding day went so very smoothly. Friday afternoon Mum, Gretel & I all went for manicures and massages. We went out for dinner for Ali's birthday, and were home by around 9.30pm. We watched some of the royal wedding coverage and both went to bed around 11pm. I read for a bit to distract myself before attempting to sleep.

I woke up at around 6.30am but stayed in bed until my alarm went off at 7. I climbed into bed with Mum and Dad and after about 5-10 minutes Mum made me get up to have a shower. Gretel and I had a quick breakfast and then it was off to the hairdressers at 8. Kelly and Jess did a fabulous job of our hair, and I was feel far less nervous after inhaling approximately half a can of hair spray in the process. Upon arriving home there was only about a 15 minute wait before Tammy arrived to do our make up. As we had our make up done (and afterwards) Mum served lunch - a salad and cold meat platter. It was delicious, and finger food was a good idea, as it was easy to pick at as we walked past.

Around midday the girls got into their bridesmaid dresses, and Sian our flower girl arrived with her parents. Then it was time to get into my dress! When I put my dress on I didn't have that defining moment, thinking "omg I'm getting married", I just felt so incredibly beautiful and excited! David & Helen arrived with the car shortly before Sonja, our wonderful photographer, who arrived around 12.30pm. It was drizzling outside so our photos had to be taken inside. We rearranged furniture, had lots of photos done, and by 1pm it had stopped raining so had a few photos outside in the garden and in front of the car (a 1959 Cadilac) before preparing to leave.

We easily fit the entire bridal party into the Cadillac (myself, Dad, 3 bridesmaids, flower girl + driver) and headed to the church. I did my best to be on time. In fact, we were probably overtaken by more than one of the guests on our way to the church. Everyone else got out of the car except me and Dad. We had a few more photos taken, and then it was time to get out and walk down the red carpet to the church. It was then that I felt nervous, and, of course, minor symptoms of reflux. I think I was too quick to start the processional music as we were to walk down the aisle, but the girls were organised and were wonderful. As I walked down the aisle all I was trying to think about was not tripping over my dress. I stepped on it a couple times but it didn't show (according to a few people I asked).

The ceremony went so quickly. It seemed as though the songs, the reading and message and our vows just flew by and we were married! The exchanging of the rings was funny. During the rehearsal Jesse had questioned which finger he was supposed to put the ring on. I assured him I would keep my engagement ring on for him so he couldn't forget. But of course we both started giggling when he hesitated about putting the ring on my finger.

Walking back down the aisle I tried very hard not to trip on my dress, and Jesse had learned from Matt & Ash's wedding 2 weeks prior how to navigate around the train. It had stopped raining sometime during the service, although it was still cloudy. My grandpa so lovingly had dried 3 boxes of rose petals, and I believe about a box of those ended up down the front of my dress (thank you everyone)! Once outside Gretel tried to hold up my train so it didn't get dirty on the ground, but I didn't care. I was only planning on wearing the dress once, so why worry about getting it dirty! Sonja pinned up my train so I could walk around and have photos taken with family & a big group photo. And then after many many more photos from everyone else, it was time to get back in the Cadillac and drive to Serafino's McLaren Vale.

After a hike across the wet grass to the vines we had more photos taken with the bridal party. For the height of my shoes, I managed the walk surprisingly easily, and the shoes managed to stay comfortable until around 10pm (that's 10 whole hours after I put them on) when the dancing started. But I've gone off on a tangent. After final photos, trying to capture the very last of the daylight, our guests were ushered to their seats while our bridal party assembled waiting to be announced.

From the moment we were announced, to when we sat down, to entree, mains, speeches, dancing and dessert, the night just flew by. The venue looked absolutely amazing. I want to say a VERY big thank you to Matt from Caso Light N Sound, and my darling husband for their efforts on Friday with the set up. See Matt's website and contact him for his outstanding work. The service and food at Serafino's was flawless. For my main I had a beef fillet steak with potato and caramelised onions, and it was so very delicious.

Despite numerous threats that "if there's a first dance we're not getting married" - Jesse compromised. We didn't dance alone, we were joined by our parents, and then shortly afterwards by our bridal party. And after our initial dance, I had chosen Rick Springfield's "Jesse's Girl" to encourage everyone else onto the dance floor - and it worked! From that point in the night, there was only one more scheduled 'event' - the tossing of the bouquet! As the girls were assembling Sonja (my photographer & good friend) asked me "do I have to photograph this or can I join in?". My response: "Join in!" And it's a good thing she did - she caught the bouquet!! Her long term boyfriend received quite a few messages. Before we knew it, the DJ was requesting we wind up the night, it was 11pm.

It was a long day. From 6.30am until we arrived at our room around 11.30pm, I had been living on nerves, excitement, a little relief, and joy and it was finally time to feel tired. It was such a wonderful day, it couldn't have been any more perfect, and I want to thank every single person who was there, whether you just attended our ceremony, invited guest, specially chosen to help out with any part of the night, behind the scenes and/or in the lead up to our special day. It was amazing, and I'm lacking in words to describe the feeling.

I apologise for how long it's taken me to get this post up, but it's taken me 3 days just to get it written - it is rather long!

New beginnings

12 months today. That's how long Jesse and I have been engaged and preparing for 'the big day'. Tomorrow we celebrate our 7 year anniversary; 7 wonderful years getting to know each other and grow together. Then just 3 days later we will say our vows to become husband and wife and I will change my name as we start a new life together, a new journey to discover.

Final preparations have been made, we will go to the reception venue tomorrow to drop off place cards, bonbonniere and confirm everything. Rehearsal is Thursday night, and Friday (for me, at least) looks to be a day of relaxation and celebration of a different kind. Jesse will be spending the day decorating the venue with lights, but I'll leave it at that, I don't want to give much away.

Tonight will just be a short post, I don't have much else to say, except that I can't wait to publicly proclaim my loyalty and my love to my best friend!! ♥

26 days and counting

It has been almost a month since I've last blogged, and I've done a lot. Apologies for my laziness.

In March:
Over the long weekend we went up to Renmark to catch up with Gretel and just relax. It was a wonderful weekend. I even played the keyboard at the church service in Paringa, which was fun. It was amusing to watch the pages blow over from the air-conditioning, albeit annoying. I was glad when someone turned off the wind in our direction, but it got hot quickly. Jesse, Robin & Luke managed to catch 200 carp on Sunday afternoon in 2 hours and subsequently kill them. It was more than a bit gross. I don't know how many they killed over the entire weekend. But I enjoyed relaxing in the sun, reading, and making delicious food with Gretel for dinners.

Saturday 19th Jesse and I attended a Huck's Day for Matt & Ash (Jesse is in Matt's wedding and Matt is in ours). There was go-karting, 10 pin bowling, and then a BBQ and drinks out at Matt's place. It was a wonderful night, even with Jesse and Matt drinking far too much alcohol. Unfortunately I was sick with a cold and reflux to be able to drink any alcohol.

On Saturday the 26th Jesse and I held our Buck's and Hen's celebrations. He went paintballing then to Luke's farm for BBQ dinner, drinks and mischief. After a hair and make-up trial in the morning I went to Warrawong Wildlife Park, and for a walk and afternoon tea, then out to dinner, then to Fumo Blu for cocktails! I had such a wonderful night, despite being sick as my reflux was difficult to ignore. In the end I had to call it an early night, and we went back to my place to watch a movie at 12.30pm. But while we were in town we found and played 2 of the Street Pianos (www.streetpianos.com/adelaide2011) and snapped a few pictures which was wonderful.

And now it's April and our wedding date is looming. 26 days today, less than 4 weeks to go. I feel organised, which is wonderful. I picked up our 'bonbonniere' on the weekend (so happy with them!) and have a time to confirm details with the florist. I've got the majority of the RSVPs back, and have started putting together the seating plans. I have no idea if I'll remember to, or have time, to post before the wedding. I would hope so, but never underestimate my laziness and ability to procrastinate.