Tuesday, April 22, 2008

The Ring

I was surprised by a phone call yesterday afternoon from our jeweller saying that my ring was ready to collect, a day early! Joel had a colleague visiting from Aberdeen and insisted we go and meet him for a beer downtown by the harbour before going to the jeweller. I think he just enjoyed watching me squirm!

Finally we headed to the jeweller and collected my beautiful ring. It fits perfectly, nice and snug without being too tight or too loose. I personally think it is the most beautiful engagement ring in the world, but of course I am 100% biased. But you can make up your own mind....


Emma.





Friday, April 18, 2008

Being Engaged

One of the best, most fun and amazing things about being engaged is that virtually everybody in our lives, from our nearest and dearest to those we might not have seen or spoken to in years, have contacted us to offer their congratulations. It is truly astounding and fantastic. I’m actually addicted to the messages and find myself checking my email, facebook and our blog each morning with so much excitement and anticipation to get my ‘hit’! I think this has really helped make me feel very connected to friends and family back home, as in an ideal world we would be hanging out and clinking the champagne glasses right about now (having imported all our Norwegian friends to Melbourne of course! I did say it was an ‘ideal’ world!). Fortunately we did plenty of that on Saturday night with all our Norwegian friends, and will continue to do so over the coming days/weeks.

 

I think now the adrenaline and ‘spaced out’ feeling has now dissipated, but what remains is a very content and happy feeling. As much as I’ve always thought and felt that Joel and I would always be together, I look at him with a different feeling now – this man will be my husband!  That takes a little getting used to, even after 4 years, a home we own together, shared bank accounts and our little guy Cooba, who will soon no longer be the ‘illegitimate child’ - kinda!

 

We’ve been thinking and talking about how/when/where we might get married, but have decided that at least for the next few weeks we’re going to put those thoughts to the side and just enjoy being engaged and celebrating that. Suffice to say one decision that we have made is that we will get married in or near Melbourne, so rest easy - you don’t need to buy the thermal underwear for a trip to Norway after all. Or at least not for a wedding, but perhaps a visit anyway??!

 

Thank you all so much for helping us celebrate and making this such an amazing experience. I would love to rewind to Saturday and do it all again, it has been so much fun. So thank you thank you thank you!!

 

Emma

 

PS. Picking up the ring on Tuesday, can’t wait!

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Just another day in the office....!

UPDATE: HERE ARE SOME PHOTOS FROM THE PARTY.

CLICK ON THIS LINK TO SEE THEM:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/75163841@N00/sets/72157604536426740/show/

_____________________________________________________________________________________

What an amazing amazing last 24 hours it has been! Actually yesterday was the best day of my life.

I set out for the evening to celebrate my 30th birthday for a low-key drinks and dinner with Joel, only 3 hours later to find myself somehow in the middle of a huge party at my house with 30 or so of my friends all dressed up in crazy 70’s outfits, and most amazingly of all, having just accepted the marriage proposal, delivered on bended knee and accompanied by a stunning diamond, from the love of my life!

What a day. I am absolutely exhausted, thrilled, excited and very emotional. But I am just so so so happy. I can’t get the grin off my face!

The party was absolutely sensational, Joel with the help of some of beautiful, generous wonderful friends planned it all as a surprise! The house was decorated brilliantly, the food was amazing, they just thought of everything. Sally and Sam arranged a video compiled of loads of photos and video messages from home which was beamed up on a projector for everyone to see. I was just amazed and of course cried my eyes out from start to finish. What wonderful friends and family I have.

And my Joel, well what can I say. He planned the whole day, and just made everything perfect and special. I think I am still in shock that he actually did it!

We have loved sharing the news with as many friends and family as we have been able to contact, and I’m sure will continue to talk to you all over the coming days and weeks.

We will upload some photos from the party as soon as we can find the camera...!

To everyone who played a part in the best day of my life, THANK YOU. I just can’t thank you enough. And to my fiancé Joel, I love you so much and can’t wait to marry you!

Emma.


PS. I know that the girls will want to see pictures (in fact have already been asking), so here they are. We will take the diamond in to the store tomorrow to pick out a setting for it. In the meantime, I am wearing a mood ring (which changes colour with my moods) that Joel purchased from the toy store for about $3 which is just as precious to me! He says he should have done it ages ago as now he has a 'mood chart' and at a glance can tell exactly how I am feeling. Genuis!
















Sunday, April 06, 2008

2 Problems:

(1) We need sun to enjoy our new deck and
(2) The spare room which we never use is now the best room in the house!

Ok - as per Ryan's suggestion, here are some before and afters.

























As we never thought the spare room was worthy of a photo, this is about as "before" as you will see. Shows much the same entrance pic as below.
























Now with lovely "eggshell white" walls, downlights, etc etc.
























From this ...
























to this ...
























to this ...

















to this.

















And some more pics of the finished room.


































Bedding for all. Come on over.

Now for outside.

















Before the fence(s).



















With new deck in place.



















From this ...


















to this ...



















Cooby seems to like it.

















From this ...



















to this ...



















to this.

Just got to put on the edging around the deck and all will be done. Just gotta wait for that warm weather to enjoy it. It is nice and sunny today ... the 2 degree temperature just puts you off a little bit.