First rain

So today was the first rain of the year in Perth I believe. Well now that I think about it, maybe it wasn't ... <look left and right and up and down searching your mind and seemingly your surroundings for an answer that doesn't come> but it's the first rain I can remember for a long time ... which either says it's been a long time since it rained or my memory is shot. There is strong cause for both of these options.

Either way, this morning there was rain in Perth and all day the air has had that smell of cool rain. It conjures a yearning within me for jumpers, socks, wool and for a glass of red wine snuggled on the couch. (And it gives me a thrill to know that the couch we ordered 9 weeks ago now will finally be here this weekend.)

There's a certain change of mood that comes with the onset of the cooler weather. Something calm about it, especially when it happens gradually like this; a day here and there of showers and the odd cardigan making an appearance atop my shoulders. It's better this way. People are more accepting of it this way. When it comes in spraying bullets in a crazy storm, understandably people are less receptive. Myself included.


But this way, it just builds excitement in me for the change of season. Of course, I don't particularly want it to be wintery just yet, there are weddings to attend, gardens to plant, boxes to move inside and new outdoorsy habits to be cemented into my brain before winter can truly be welcome. But I do love the anticipation of the change of seasons. The tease of mother nature in autumn and spring leading into winter or summer. In Perth at least, I always think of autumn and spring as 'in between' seasons. They're more of a transition period than a full blown season of their own in this part of the world. Not as cut and dry (pun intended) as summer or winter. They're just a taste, a tease of what's to come. And today it's the tease of cardigans and coats.

Do you have a favourite season? What do you look forward to the most about it?

Marking pages

I bought these oh-so-cute wafer thin metal bookmarks, I don't know how many months ago and then ofcourse because they're so teeny tiny, I lost them almost instantly in my house. Then came packing and moving and I was delighted that they reappeared and I put one pride of place at the top of the page I was reading in Jack Hourac's On The Road (a book you definitely need a bookmark for, if you lose your spot you're likely to have to start all over again). 

I can't for the life of me remember where I got them, but I found them at Yeestore on Etsy, along with many more! Aren't they just adorable? I love creative bookmarks, especially little ones.   
 

Home

There are a number of songs I could have picked for this post, Crowded House You Better Be Home Soon (an old fave) among many more spring to mind. But none other seemed more fitting than Edward Sharpe's joyous jig-along track to welcome you (by virtual way of typing)to our new home.

It has been an exceptionally busy two weeks of moving, cleaning, unpacking & a bit of friendly fun thrown in too. But how thankful we are that through the exhaustion we are home. 

For the most part, the Operation One Truck was a success but it's all those little things like removing junk, maneuvering plants and unaccounted for outdoorsy stuff, organising cleaners and pest sprayers that had us shuffling back and forth to Old Milney several times that first week. But finally I handed over the keys - the final inspection was done (not without a few hiccups of course) and Old Milney is now free for new tenants, as we are to enjoy our new home.

Apart from us, nothing has quite landed exactly where it belongs in the little unit yet; our new couch is still a few weeks away, we are yet to organise wardrobes and a spare bed/storage, even Zeus hasn't quite identified his 'corner' yet. There are so many wonderful ideas we have for the place that will take some time to execute. But we've managed to clear the sea of cardboard boxes (or at least confine them to the spare room) which has made being in our space much more relaxing! 

None-the-less we're both so happy to be home and know everything will (literally) fall into place soon enough and we'll start to establish a new kind of 'normal'. 

I look forward to brining you some pics very soon!  

A farewell to Old Milney

So the big move is now only 2 sleeps away (I can here you all cheering 'will you just fecking move already!' - don't worry, I'm thinking it too). Although my excitement for moving into our first home, for operation one truck, for decorating my own space and for the next phase of my relationship is almost uncontainable, I feel it necessary in these last few days to farewell my current abode, Old Milney, and maybe pay homage to all those other houses that came before 'our first home'. 


In my little lifetime, there's been a lot of homes. 27 to be exact, in as many years. Split amongst two families (don't worry, I didn't actually move every single year, but at one point we did move several times in one). I'm from a family of itchy-feeters, of courageous individuals who take the step to change their lives with only the positives of the experience in mind. Some of these moves were not always completely thought out, some were intended to be stepping stones, and some were more of a forced matter. But things always worked out in the end and I love that courage, drive and sense of adventure about each and every one of my immediates and about myself too.

There has been houses by the beach, houses in the suburbs, big houses, small houses, farm houses. Homes in the country, city and in the bush. Old houses, new houses and friends' houses. Caravans, demountables, even buses and sheds. Homes with parents, friends, boyfriends and people met through Gumtree who then became friends. Each house, each location, each situation has taught me something different and has influenced who I am today. I am thankful for the varying experiences I've had thus far and hopeful that the next 28 years will bring others just as diverse. 

But Old Milney will always be my last rental. I spent two years here beneath the high ceilings, within the enormous suburban block (albeit mostly sandpit), perched comfortably on the elevated front porch overlooking the street from a small height. The porch at Old Milney was one of my favourite spots - probably the place I'll miss the most. It has seen many a party, heard many a tune and worn many a spilled beverage. Old Milney has been a place we've shared with friends and family and a space we've felt extremely comfortable in, despite the mice and pantry moths that come with an old girl like her.

While there will be a lot I won't miss about living here (rent inspections included), there will be a lot I will miss. I will miss the decorative ceilings, the fireplace (not that it worked), the sweet old original stove in the corner of the kitchen (not that it worked either), the art deco glass doors. I will miss the picture rails in every room from which I could hang whatever I wanted wherever I wanted, the crazy bright orange of the sleep out wall, the sweet picket fence. I will miss the big bedrooms, the real floor boards, the pretty front garden and steps up to the porch lined with all of my plant pots.

So thanks for the memories Old Milney, a place in my heart is stored for you forever.     

The book diet

I am on a book diet. By which I don't mean I'm not allowed to read any books (just try and stop me if you dare!), I mean I'm not allowed to buy anymore books. What a most torturous fast to be on, hey? The book diet occurred on account of the fact that I mostly refused to get rid of any as we packed boxes for the new place and MR is already just a little bit nervous as to how all of my 'stuff' (read: books, vintage vases, clothing and shoes) is going to fit in the new humble abode.

In all honesty, I do have approximately 50 books in said boxes that I've not yet read (something tells me I need a holiday), but since when has that ever stopped a girl from buying books? I mean really. I can always justify buying books. And like many book-a-holics, I never stop at one. I always leave a book store with a paper bag bulging with books. Three at a time is a fairly standard book shopping exhibition for me. However, I have started to think that MR might actually be on to something here and it probably would be wiser for me to at least wait until we moved...and unpacked...and bought new shelves...or found somewhere, anywhere, to put my books before I buy any more. <Insert sad face here>. Maybe I should also read a few of the ones I've been meaning to for quite some time, I suppose.

So having breakfast at Daily Planet on Sunday morning and smelling the scent of fresh, new paperbacks as the doors to Planet Books were pushed open was almost more than a girl on a book diet could handle. And so, we went in, but only for a look, I promise!

Wow! Who knew it was that easy?

It shows my ignorance that I didn't realise The Silver Linings Playbook was a book. 

I absolutely wanted this Alice in Wonderland Giant Poster and Colouring Book.
It was tough work convincing me otherwise.

You know, for when you get bored.

*No books were purchased in the making of this post.

Seven days

In one week, hold the phone 

a home I will own

a mere seven days

just the throw of a stone.

A humble abode 

on two lovers bestowed

though a large sum of money

is sure to be owed.

Fond memories ahead
and it has to be said,
no more will I keep boxes
piled under the bed!

 
(Sincerely one proud, dorky, Dr Seuss-loving poet.)

 

A bit of fun...and tired legs

 

Saturday was finally Garage Sale Day and suffice to say - we sold alot of shit and are now one step closer to Operation One Truck. We rose early to get everything set up and had our first punters arrive at the ripe hour of 7.30am...despite the ad stating 8.30am start, who reads ads these days anyway. We packed up around 5pm having sold all of our furniture required to be sold, and several other bits and pieces. Our pockets were a little heavier and our house significantly emptier. Tick and tick. We finally sat down around 7.30pm and exchanged a tired celebratory salute with a half-hearted chink of beer bottles before gorging ourselves on pizza (something we regretted 30 minutes later). 

  
The thought of spending all day at a festival the next day almost bought a tear to our eyes as we climbed into bed, bellies aching with expansion from too much pizza. But what a welcome bit of fun and nostalgia it was to be dancing away in the sunshine to some awesome music at Big Day Out.

  
Big Day Out is a bit of an institution for us. It's a festival we've both gone to for several years, both before we met and since. So hearing that this year would be the last Perth Big Day out gave us that extra bit of fire we needed (especially after a massive garage sale) to get there this year. And despite every bone in my body aching like a mofo - I'm so glad we went!

After what has been a full on few months of working hard and saving even harder, there was not a more important moment than Sunday for us to have a bit of fun with 19,000 of our closest friends ofcourse. 

 

The Hives were an unexpected highlight for me. Such great entertainers. Getting the entire audience to sit down so lead singer Pelle Almqvist could jump on a fan's shoulders - awesome!

It's moments like these you need Minties that remind me how important it is to let your hair down and have a bit of fun, and suddenly everything else doesn't seem so bad. 

Appreciating life's little pearls this week.