♥ ♥ Memoirs of a Dreamer ♥ ♥: September 2010

Everyone who knows me well will tell you I like staying in and I am at my most serene state when I am in front of the computer or reading a nice book with a big brew on the side. But that is THEN. I will be lying if I say I would not enjoy the same thing now but I can honestly say that I am at my most serene when I am walking up the hills of beautiful Chesterfield overlooking the lovely English countryside and running around with Taz and James. I have been mostly spending my time outdoors since getting Taz and sometimes I wish he knew how much he is doing for me AND how much he inspires me to do things I would not normally do.

Yesterday I went for an 8-mile hike with Maddie, James and Taz and I have truly impressed my mother-in-law with my newfound stamina! The last time we had a family walk was last Boxing Day with Chris, Liz, Maddie, me, and James and I was very slow, the road was all icy then but still. She also noticed how acclimatised I am when I stripped off my parka and my big walking coat after just a few minutes into the hike. I have to say though, walking in shorts and vest top is really comfortable and I can feel the nice crisp autumn breeze on my skin. It's a really wonderful feeling.

She broke the great news very early on in the walk, too.

I think it was one of the rare moments where I actually wished there was a CCTV somewhere and I can play it back and watch my face whilst the news was being relayed to me. I was utterly speechless but at the same time I wanted to scream and trust me, containing my excitement took a lot of effort. I think anyone would be if they were told that someone is about to give them a house! Yep, that is the great news.
Apparently my in-laws have spent the past year sorting out their finances and talking about putting in money for both their children's own home. Liz has decided she is staying in York and well, James and I both love Chesterfield and I have told James in the past that I woould always choose to settle near family, and while James' family live all over England and Scotland, he has a few here in Chesterfield.
My in-laws are going for another holiday in York for a week and then my mother-in-law said we will have a proper sit-down and talk about it. Until then, we are to look at potential houses with 3 bedrooms because according to her, "it needs to be big enough for when you're ready for a kid or two".
I grew up in a rented apartment, trust me we had a lovely 3 bed, 2bath home. It was in a semi-exclusive estate with armed security guards at the gates but that was never truly ours and I have always dreamed of having my own house where I can decorate it to my own taste and not be heartbroken when I have to leave.

I am so, so, so excited about buying our own house but until yesterday, it was just a distant dream. James and I still have many dreams to realise and fulfill together and buying our own house is one that we thought we would be able to achieve in not any less than five years. Neither of us thought it was going to be this soon. I am so grateful that God keeps blessing me even when I don't ask for it. A long time ago I had a choice between someone I love but would have to make a lot of sacrfices for and someone I liked who can give me everything money can buy. I chose love and now I am being rewarded for being willing to make a few compromises. When we moved here and got Taz, I had everything I wanted to be genuinely happy. I have been teaching myself to bake better and to cook bolder dishes and I am quite pleased about the result so far. I have slowed down on the hours of driving lessons since getting Taz but I am back on track now and hopefully before the year ends, I will have my UK driving licence. I have met many neighbours on my many walks with Taz and based on the invites I get to come in for a cuppa or brew, I'd like to think that I have made a good impression in my new neighbourhood.

Last night James mentioned that when I am ready to start working, we can save up for my mum to come to England for a holiday, to start with. And by then it will be easier to get her a visa when we have our own house where there is plenty of room for her.
Before my mother-in-law left yesterday after she dropped us off, she gave me a big hug and I said thank you to her for the wonderful news and i also expressed my shame that I won't have financial input with our first house, and gave me a huge genuine smile and said, "don't even think about it, love. Just keep feeding him. Keep loving him."