Money and Music

"Ok, Greg... from now till the end of August, we have to be super, duper incredibly stingy. Ok? ... do you think we can get through with only spending $25 on groceries per week?"

I've seen people's post comments on facebook about buying really expensive stuff and contemplates about eating 2 minute noodles for the rest of their lives. Yup, that's us! And we're not even joking. JB Hi-fi was having a big sale tonight. And I don't know how I let Greg walk out the store with a $1300 TV. We also bought a new microwave last weekend- all this after learning that our landlord is increasing our rent. I can go through winter without a microwave, and I was happy with our free box TV, but nooo... let's risk our next rent and bills for all these new stuff... siiiigh... -_-;

Though, I have to say- I haven't seen my husband this happy since our wedding day- so that makes everything all the more worth it. He's been working hard and he deserves another new toy. So yeah... I now have a huge flat screen TV in my lounge room... something to get used to.

Tonight at JB CD's were 20% off so I couldn't resist either... (naturally). I subconsciously bought 3 CD's of 3 different artist that sings and play the piano. Sara Bareilles, Diana Krall and Jamie Cullum. I also wanted Stevie Wonder but didn't get it.

I've just discovered Jamie Cullum a few days back, and when I listened to his CD, I got slightly obsessed. The next day while making jewelry I've watched all of his youtube clips. Music videos, live shows, interviews... eeeverything. That night, for the first time in... I don't know how many years now... I sat on the piano, sang one of Jamies song and I didn't want to get off for like 3.5 hours. I feel that he just unlocked my passion for music. One of the main thing that I learnt from the music school was that I had a crap pitch. It is written several times in every single report. But after listening to Jamie's music, I don't really care anymore. Yesterday I finally found an ending to my song, "Tulip Tree"- I first wrote it 4 years ago.

All this music talk and no sound. I should face my other mountain and try to record it...

My First Jewelry Party

“Today, is the BEST day of my liiiiiiife........!!!!!!!!”

Greg smirked at me, “What? No way... Ok, maybe one of”

And yes, I'm talking about my first jewelry party that I'm happy with! Greg and I had been working hard on the new jewelry frames for a week and our living room had turned into a wood shed. There's wood dust every where and the wood turner in Greg is coming out, "I love this smell!"  We didn't sleep till 2am the night before the party, moving our giant ugly bookcase to make space for our new jewelry holder... and watching Cadel winning Le Tour De France. (Go Cadel...!!!) 

The next morning, Saturday 23rd July, we woke up to the horrendous sound of Greg’s radio alarm at 7:50am.We went to the farmers market in the morning, just to get fresh flowers. Greg dropped me home and there I was, arranging flowers on a tea cup and wine glasses to get ready for the day.

I was nervous. I’ve organised a lot of parties in my life- and most of them are for a reason that I can handle- a BBQ, someone’s birthday, a church event, fund raisings, my wedding! But this one is kind of like, “Please open up your wallet” sort of party- money makes me nervous. I'm also about to show all my friends what I’ve been doing in the past 5 months. I was feeling as nervous as going through a semesters exam. 

I have decided to put a damper on it- My plan is to invite everyone for a nice brunch for a great time and conversations for us to get to know each other before looking at the jewelry. I had the honor to crack 16 eggs  to make French Toast for 15 people and baking muffins and melting moments the day 

before. 

Greg and I live in a tiny flat, and I was concern our living room won’t fit everyone at once for brunch. Not just that but we only have 2 chairs in the house, no dining table and we were expecting 15 people to come. I was also worried that I won’t get to cook French Toast for 15 people in time. But yeah... it boggles me why I worry so damn much! (shakes head...) When the girls arrive, they all helped and I didn't have to fry a single toast! The 13 degree weather is sunny and perfect, some people brought extra camping chairs and folded tables and my courtyard JUST fits everyone in! Praise God!!! 

Everyone was SO impressed with our new wooden jewelry display. Greg worked very hard on it and I'm sorry that he had to be at work today to miss out on all the credit. 

And so, all the strawberries and kiwi fruit had been cut, the cookies had been arranged, the kettle is boiled for tea and the French toast is almost ready- at that moment I feel like I was living in a dream. The smell of French toast cinnamon and butter billowing from the kitchen, the sun, the dreamy lights, the flowers, the wonderful people and passing food through open windows straight from the lounge room to the courtyard. I think I was in Heaven. 

I was in a very fortunate position for this party. Irene is a sales expertise, and Estelle is keen in marketing- 2 things that I really should be interested in, but not. Earlier this week, we coindecently met up and I received a  -pep- talk to sharpen my skills in those 2 things. Based on that, everyone sat around the living room, and I did my little blurb about the jewelry- Irene also did the same. But then again, the jewelry is meant to sell itself right?

Chloe tip-toed away from the crowd towards my bookmarks and everyone else stood up and walked around. I definitely under-estimated myself about how this is all going to go because if Irene didn’t walk around with a notepad and wrote everyone’s orders, I would have been, so, so lost. They were so into it! There were questions being asked, sales coming in by the minute and it was kind of exhilarating. My work was being appreciated- I didn’t hear a single word of negativity. Oh man... I just want to shnuggle to this moment. I feel like something and all my effort is being paid off.

Everyone had to go almost simultaneously at 1:30pm for something else at 2pm. The rest of the party was so laid back, only a few of us having more tea and a chat getting to know each other. My friend Emilia didn’t turn up till 3pm, and we just had a relaxing evening.

Greg came home from work at 3pm and when everyone left, he collapsed on the couch... rightly so. He didn't sleep more than 7 hours every night for a week!

When he woke up, I decided to shout him dinner to say thank you for all his help. But really, I think I end up enjoying this reward more than he does. We went for Indian and I ordered an extra spicy king prawn vindaloo- forgive my bazaar Asian taste, but it... was... glorious!!! And that's when I shout in the car on the way home, "Today is the BEST DAY OF MY LIIIIIIFE.........!!!"- alright, maybe one of :p