Can any girl really claim to be low-maintenance?

Lying in bed this morning, hitting snooze a time or five. Watching the snow fall on the aspens outside my bedroom window, I truly treasured the simplicity of my life. I had to be in town at 9:45, after a 25-30 minute commute (9:15 departure time) I safely concluded that I could lie in bed until 9:08, thus leaving me seven minutes to get ready for the day. I LOVE that I can be ready for the day in just a mere seven minutes. My job does not require me took look pretty, the town I live in does not require me to wear couture, so the wardrobe is quite simple. My choices include: fitted jeans vs. baggy jeans, long sleeved tee shirt in black, white, green or brown, under tank top in white, black, stripped, purple, green or blue(the one on top of the drawer usually wins) and Merells vs. Evolve shoes. Dress, brush teeth, face lotion, quick run of the comb, scarf and jacket and bam! I'm ready! I dread the day that I no longer can do this.

Not that I ever look glamorous from day to day. I always just look like this:

(taken after two days in the desert)

But this got me to thinking, am I really what someone would consider low maintenance? I wouldn't be so quick to say so. I definitely have my "fetishes" just like any woman.

Some women like to spend their "me money," on fashion and beauty items, I just like to spend my "me money" on toys!

Some women have a desire to line their closets with delicate shoes, heels and such. I have 3 pair of Chacos, four pair of snow boots and a pair of hiking shoes.

Lots of women I know have a purse fetish, I have a backpack collection. (one purse, many have told me it's actually a camera case)

Women nickle and dime themselves to death on new tubes of lip stick, nice perfume and fancy shampoos. I prefer to spend my money on chalk for climbing, wax for my snow board, ad chap stick.

Josh would argue that although I am simple that I am still quite high maintenance, just in a less girly kinda way. But he doesn't complain, because the things I buy for "me" end up benefiting both of us and our travels.

Moderate Creativity.

Randomly I have the need to write down my thoughts. I'm going to try it on a blog. We'll see what happens. 

I'm watching HGTV in the condo by myself.  It's the first time I've gotten to actually control the remote and watch EXACTLY what I want to watch on TV. Sigh, so while flipping for the cheesiest prime-time television I could find on a Wednesday night, I get stuck in cable-land.  You know, the upper stations that never have gripping, steamy, McDready style television (what I was hoping to watch) and instead I got sucked into HGTV.  I stop because I heard "his and her two house compound" and was intrigued.  This couple built their houses(s) on two adjoining lots.  They share a yard, but little else.  They each had their own space.  This show was, of course, not about their relationship so I can only speculate from here: What a cool idea!! She can have her place to put her "smelly candles" and have a bathtub the size of the bathtub in the Peewee Herman movie, while he has his house for the ridiculously large flat screen television and hibatchi grill in lieu of oven and stove... two bathrooms. two kitchens. two bedrooms (or more!) two living rooms.  He could have all the sports parties in his house and she could have the dinner parties in hers! I'm sure they alternate bedrooms to sleep.  I cannot imagine a couple in love that wouldn't want to sleep next to eachother everynight.  But then again, I guess there are tons of people that have done that.  But sleeping is the best part of being in a relationship.  I just don't understand how people can not like at lest being able to touch your love in the middle of the night. Just reach the big toe back ever so slighty and touch his leg- just know that he's there. But that's just me... Two houses though, that would be awesome! Even better- one house, two wings One bedroom.  Work with me now. You start in the middle with a shared bedroom.  Just like any couple's bedroom it's slightly void of too much personality- neutral.  The bed is large, preferably a California King, with beige in color, and high in thread-count linens.  The television is centered across from the bed.  From there the house splits.  Her side leads to her walk-in closet.  To the right is her bathroom.  Her bathroom has a large jacouzi tub and a multi-head shower with a bench for shaving her legs. Her vanity is somewhat girly with a place to sit and put on make-up. Back through the closet and straight ahead is a door leading to "her" house.  She has a full set up with a kitchen, dining room, living room and a powder room and a couple of guest rooms.  If you step outside on her front porch, it looks like a duplex.  If you go out "her" front door, you step a mear ten feet and you are knocking on "his" door. "His" house opens up to a large great room, the living area in the front and the kitchen off the back. He has a couple of extra bed rooms, that could be used as guest rooms- if the guest didn't mind a recording studio or gear closet.  The door to the shared bedroom is through is bathroom.  His house had little need for a closet and a bathroom, so he just opted for twice the bathroom.  In his bathroom, there is another large television, a steam room and a large multi-headed shower. Back full circle to the shared bedroom.  She would invite him over to her house for dinner and a movie.  He would woo her in his bachelor pad from time to time and they would always go home together. It would be pretty cool. *end stream of consciousness* 

Do not judge for grammar, as I have not edited for more than spelling. My imagination lies deep in the middle of "my own little world" and in my world, there is not much structure, thus, no grammar.  

Nesting and Waiting...

The off season is officially upon us.  It's the time of year when the town clears out: the summer residents are moving south for the winter, the ski bums haven't quite gotten here yet and the gapers (tourists) have stopped flooding town square.  The off season is a time to slow down and shift gears.  Summer was amazing! It was a world wind of sun, water, mountains and tons of activities... The winter will be jammed packed full of skiing and snowshoeing.  But October and November's weather forces you to put the breaks on.  Today, for instance we woke up to wind howling, snow flurries and chilly weather.  The idea of going on a hike was less than appealing.  So for the first time in a long while, I am staying in and doing NOTHING.  

The catch is, I'm very bad at doing nothing. So instead, I have been organizing, doing laundry and in general "nesting." I almost have the house dialed in and comfortable.  Josh's mom is in town and she's been making lasagna all day for us to freeze! The boys have been keeping the fire ablaze all day, it's just been a delightful day! I love the off season! 

The new digs!

This is my roommate Steven showing off the kitchen/laundry room

Our bedroom...
The dining room
The living room! 
the other half of the living room, and my sweet boyfriend showing it off

It seems I have been doing little but making up excuses as to why I'm not blogging. Truth be told: I haven't had very much alone/down time that has coincided with inspiration. 

First, my computer had an unfortunate run in with a cup of coffee.  Didn't work, submerged it in rice and now it does.  There is a DVD stuck in the drive but Internet and music still work. Le sigh, I should really be discouraged from owning nice things ;)

But the news of the week is the new condo! Last I updated you, we were talking about moving in together.  In the meantime J and I have hit some growing pains in our relationship, moved past them and signed a lease.  We now live in Teton Village, Wyoming.  For those of you who have never been to Jackson, let me try and give you an idea: 

okay.  Broadway is the main street. Town square is at the corner of Broadway and Cache. From Town, you go south on Broadway, take a right (up in the map) on 22 and head to the stop light, turn right and go about 6 miles to Teton Village. The Village, as it is more commonly referred to is centered around the ski hill.  There are some shops and restaurants, a few five star hotels, a bunch of rich people and some condos slightly off to the side.  I now reside in one of said condos.

This place is NICE! It's a vacation rental by summer- rented by the week.  By winter, it is ours! There are four of us living in this fabulous two bedroom, two bathroom condo- Me, Josh, our friend Bungee and Lady Elu.  Granted, three of us are sharing a room =).

We have a fire place, a wet bar, a separate dining room, kitchen with laundry off it, a gigantic balcony and best of all- it's ski-in.  We can pretty much cruise right up to the back steps. 

I promise I will have pictures up soon! Right now I'm just sitting here basking in it all while the boys drink beer on the porch.  

Anyway.  I PROMISE now that I am settled (and living with two boys who will inevitably win the battle on "what do we watch on TV") I will do more blogging.  I vow here and now to take more pictures and let my (two) faithful readers know what is going on in Teton Village and the rest of Jackson. 

Hope you have a great day!!!

Peace! 

One Year

I bailed on my life. 

That's how I finally came to describe it, later.  

Not too long ago, I was having a conversation that started out to be about money, my financial situation.  Owning a house 1,800 miles away is bad enough, but to start in on thinking about everything that house stands for, is a whole 'nother story.

Six years ago, I was engaged. I was happy and young and foolish and rich (as far as I thought).  I bought a house.  Said engagement lasted three months into living in the House.  We break up,cordially, friendly, easily.  We both recognized that we were too young to be starting a grown-up life together when neither of us had fully outgrown early-twenties idiot-ness.  Roommates move in, another boyfriend happens upon me, he maintains a lease on his apartment for eight months, all the while staying at the House most nights.  Eight months do not lead to much but a slightly more bitter break-up than the last. Another roommate in, another out, once again another in.  Meet guy at bar, next day calls early wanting a date.  Lunch, swimming, kiss on the cheek.  Several months later, by accident, guy moves in.  Cohabitate, "fall in love," proposal, wedding planning.  All the while this poor House is the setting.  Bad news, I bail a month before the wedding.  Six months later, I bail on the House, I bail on Birmingham, on a job, on everything that I was.  I up and leave. 

Quite possibly the best move I ever made. 

I bailed on my LIFE. 

...and here I am, a year later.  I feel free.  I feel like I have found a home in Jackson.  I have collected a great group of loving friends, while maintaining the meaningful friendships back home.  I have a wonderful job and a great little (rental) house. But the irony of it all? I'm taking the plunge again: cohabitation.  Josh and I have decided to move in together.  We have yet to decide if we will stay here, in the log cabin, or if we will start fresh in a place that is ours and was never just mine.  Elu accepts the challenge, I'm looking forward to what is to come. 

CHECK OUT MY NEWEST BLOG!!

As some of you know, I've dabbled in wire wrapping and making jewelry for some time now.  Many of my friends have received Christmas presents and other random gifts made with love.  Well, I have just launched a blog-site to showcase my creations.  If you have any gift needs for a special lady in your life, if you LOVE fun and hand-made jewelry, or if you're just curious what it is I do click here and check out Grand Design Jewelry by Patricia Ireland.  Feel free to spread the word! 

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