Messy Puppy...

Hahaha... I actually laughed out loud when I saw what Joop did tonight. I was working away, doing some scrapbooking and whatnot. Meanwhile Joop was chewing on all his toys. Apparently he couldn't decide what to play with and kept going back for new toys, leaving a trail of discarded toys behind him to prove it! (note the basket of toys at the back of the pic!).

Seriously the cutest puppy in the world.

Spring Cleaning?!?

It's official. I'm growing up. I've fought this off for as long as I could, but unfortunately it just keeps creeping up on me. This time in the form of early spring cleaning.

Below you'll find some lovely pictures of an empty fridge, and the previous contents of said fridge that weren't thrown away in the process. Apparently I had the urge to clean out the fridge that actually doesn't even belong to me! I live in an apartment... Nevertheless, I did it!

How this happened I don't really know. I certainly didn't have these urges to clean growing up. I can't remember ever saying, "Hey mom, our fridge looks kind of messy. Maybe it's time for me to give it a good scrub!". My mom certainly didn't instil a love for cleaning in me (I think she use to dread it as much as I did). Maybe my cleanly university friends rubbed off on me a bit.... Who knows. Regardless, I was overcome for the last week or so with the urge to do some serious cleaning. Washing everything. Cleaning out drawers. It's not even Spring yet!

Either this is a sign of the apocalypse, or this is what growing up feels like. The jury is still out.

Joop: Cleaning Machine

Not only is Joop super cute, he's also super helpful! Did you know he helps me with all the household chores? Yes, he helps wherever he can. I'll just let these videos speak for themselves....

Helping me vacuum...

and sweep....

and dust...

and make the bed.... If you didn't laugh out loud while watching this, you're not human.

ps - I actually did a better job of cleaning then it appears in the videos, lol.

Apartment Christmas

Christmas has invaded my life and apartment. Here's a sneak peak of what I've done with the small amount of free stuff that I've collected this year.

Stockings that mom and dad sent me last year :)

The mini-Christmas tree that we made, free lights (on the balcony), and the blanket I (or rather Mr. A) won at a Christmas party. Joop is clearly enjoying the Christmas fun.

Presents!!! (these just magically showed up!)

I know I've been posting a lot of Christmas things lately, but I just love Christmas time! It's been such a great time of year. I feel like I'm at home this year and it's been wonderful to fill up my life with Christmas joy. My bestie visiting from Ontario also makes it feel a bit more like home :) I'm enjoying the holidays so much already and they haven't even started!

Hope you're pre-holidays are going fantastically as well!

Growing up is hard to do

Well, this is it folks. My new home in Grande Prairie. It’s the outside of my brand-spanking new apartment building! If someone had asked me two months ago where I would be now, this is not what I would have predicted (except for maybe the 'having a job' part). I live in a one bedroom with my puppy (who’s not really a puppy anymore). There’s loads of room for one person. Underground parking. On-site gym. Balcony. 3rd floor. Heaven. My favourite thing to do it decorate. I’m slowly picking out the right furniture pieces (at good Dutch prices of course) and picture frames and decorations. I’ve really seen the place take form in the couple of months that I’ve been here. I’m excited to finally share it with everyone! More photos of the actual apartment to come!

I can't believe how fast I'm growing up *tear*... But in all seriousness, in the span of one month, I've started a new job, in a new town 1000s of kilometers from my old home. I'm now getting paychecks, and buying furniture, and paying all my own bills (no more help from dad...). I knew that I had to grow up some day, but who knew it would all happen so fast.

I guess that looking back, I did gradually gain independence, it wasn't all at once. But still, it feels like it did. I now feel that weight of all my responsibilities. That's the scariest part of it! I'm on my own folks. I've grown up. No more hand-outs.

Turns out, a lot can change in two months....