1. Cake will serve: 150, They will take take it out to the lodge at 3:PM come out and meet with them next week (mornings preferable) to finalize details and pay balance on cake.
2. The lady said to bring the rings in about a week before the wedding, it takes 'em a few days.
4. We decided that the laptop that we got earlier will be our wedding gift to ourselves/each other.
6. prodded on the crib.
7. I've made my decision about family kids, they are welcome (much to the relief of my family I suppose).
8. Left a message for Ben, Brandon has said that it is a distinct possibility that they stay there.
11. Jen already prodded about wedding shower, it is in progress. (thanks jen!)
12. work Wedding shower stuff talked about, we will just stick with my co-workers (thanks deb!)
13. Got my hair cut...but will need to get it cut again, by that time...
Journal
This'll make things fun...
The Beaverdale Fall Festival is also the same weekend as our wedding...
So the parade is at 10:AM, which might make things interesting, as far as getting stuff from the house, since it closes off the street right in front of the house. I don't think it'll be too much of an issue, since we should be out of the house by that time (preparing the reception location or getting ready (hair done) etc). So it shouldn't be an issue. I hope.
One more wedding thing...
I don't remember if I mentioned this or not, but my boss (Proctor), has told me that I'd be about to barrow his car (Audi A6) to use for the wedding.
So that'll be cool
Things to do...
1. Call The Bake Shoppe about cake to meet with Baker (final design of cake, what to expect out of them, etc)
2. Call Joseph's to ask about Shannon's ring and wedding band joining.
3. Call Caterer to finalize the menu and how/when we pay them.
4. Get Shannon's Wedding gift (already know what it is, just have to pick it up and get it).
5. Get ready to send out wedding announcments.
6. Prod people to send back wedding RSVPs
7. Make decision about family children (my side) (~20 guests)
8. Remind Ben to make arrangements for staying in Des Moines (Boelmans? I'll ask Brandon).
9. Closer to wedding, remind insurance agent that we're getting married and to apply that big discount.
10. Get wedding License
11. Remind Jen about bridal shower? Maybe have her prod someone else to help her.
12. Think about work wedding shower (hosted by my co-worker Deb) and who to invite to that (Shannon's Co-worker's maybe?).
13. Hair Cut (closer to date).
14.... Uh...other stuff?
It's hot...to hot to leave the house
So this weekend has been obnoxiously hot. But we have still maintained a productive weekend.
So Shannon went down to Action Accents, to buy herself a swimsuit...since she didn't really have one, and we are going to Florida. They were having a sale...50-70% off, not to shabby...so she went (without me, since I find shopping dreadful), and was able to find something that is not only looks great on her, but was 1/2 off too...so not to bad (though certainly more then I've ever spent on a swimsuit).
Afterwards, we headed over to That Irish Shoppe to buy some gifts for our wedding party. We got some nice things that I think they'll be happy with. Shannon's Dad was the toughest one to shop for, but I did point out one thing that'll probably go over well.
Afterwards we headed over to Ingersol Wine and Spirits to pick up Ingersoll Wine and Spirits to pick up some gifts...One for Josh's Birthday (which he already got (10 Cane Rum)) and other things for my boys Josh, Brandon, Ben and Nathan. So you guys don't know what you are getting, but you do know what kind that you are gonna get. :-P I gotta say that Ben Jung was a huge help there.
Anyhoo, we dropped off the stuff at the house and headed to Target. Hoping to find some shorts and pants on summer clearence (I had some luck, Shannon had none) and a present for Sean.
Afterwards we went for some pizza (brick oven style) and headed home. While we were there we got a call from Josh and went over there to watch a movie.
Sunday, Shannon went out in the heat to go look for a pair of shorts or two and some pants. She had some luck, found some nice shorts at younkers for 75% off or so (like 7$).
The day didn't go so well, I smoked out the house by burning a bit of cooking oil on the pan (to much heat, to long on the stove) and then also mostly ruined the pan by thinking that I could get it to stop smoking by putting it under the faucet...which then super cooled the pan making the bolts holding the pan on, now loose. Luckily...it was probably the cheapest plan I own.
But it teaches me a lesson...not to be so quick to run the pans under cold water.
After airing out the house, I continued on...it still can be used for some things...but the seal is broken so if the pan gets a certain amount of full, it'll leak...anyways...
It's hot...going upstairs (Where it's not as air conditioned), it's obnoxious. We've done a lot of laundry. Shannon wrapped a present (most of which were wrapped, already). And now we're thinking about making the wedding program...
House Hunting, 2 Months, and are you kidding?
So went to take Shannon's car in, and went to get it back, but when Shannon turned over her car, the check engine light came on and stayed on, so we dropped off the keys again, and headed out. They eventually called us and told us a cam sensor (whatever that is) had gone bad and needed to be replaced, but they couldn't get one until monday....so we left it there.
We had Josh and Lindsay pick us up and we went to Taste of Des Moines. Which was ok...overpriced but, ok. We easily spent 20$ just on food and stuff. I had a wonderful lamb gyro and some ice cream and it was good. We didnt' stay there very long and headed home.
We picked up some movies and headed over to Josh's to watch them.
We watched Grandma's Boy and Waiting, both of which weren't great movies, but were fun and silly to watch.
Afterwards, we headed home.
Sunday afternoon we headed out to go to open houses with Chris and Holly. And that was fun...a lot of the things were good a lot of things were bad. Sometimes the place was good but parking was...well...awkward at best and the location wasn't in the sort of range where we want.
We did stop in this nice town home that we just happened by. It was for sale by owner, and the owners were a nice older couple, but in walking in the home, I could tell that it was probably out of our price range and I was right...it was around $220k.
We did look at one where we had kinda said hey this would be great, but in looking at it, the space that was actually there would be quite the challenge. We couldn't have our wonderful dining room table in it and still have space to have a living room, with out it becoming awkward.
Afterwards we headed home.
This weekend we also got a quote about the roof, which was quite a bit more then I thought it would be...and I am investigating other options...because...well...we can't afford to do that and get out of this house.
Anyhoo...we also made a big change to our wedding registry too...We decided that since we don't really do formal dinners and in discussing with my parents (who don't really own fine china) we decided to remove it from our registry. I do love the way it looks, but at around $50 a place setting, it's a little silly. We did a bit more shuffling too, removing the expensive flatware and adding nice every day flatware (same brand as the serving utensils).
Also...today...2 months from today we'll be married.
whee ha!
So we (Ben, Josh and I) got measured for tuxedos on Sunday. So that's done. Now I just have to poke Nathan and Brandon to do so...
So we're moving forward again, Finding out when/how much we owe people, what needs to be paid by when and what not.
We've gotten a few response cards back, and the question (from my family) on if kids are ok, which, in my mind, depend on how many other people respond yes I wanna go. Kids aren't gonna remember it as much as adults, so it does seem a bit silly to me to exclude adults for the purpose of someone that's not gonna remember...but maybe that's just me.
So far, I think we have 10% of our max of 150 full. I think we're gonna try for about 95-105% (since some people after RSVPing may not show up, or people that don't RSVP will show up).
My finger is healing up I guess...looks about the same to me. the Stitches holding 'em together make it a little harder to type, and I've had to tell the story a lot, since everyone looks and asks what happen...I'm saying it's a knife fight now. I think I may switch it to Shannon attacked me, but I don't know if people will find the humor in that (although Brandon did). I've been avoiding meat...well meat that I have to prepare at least. I don't really have two hands I can use, so, the range of things we can eat goes down...which kinda sucks, but I'd rather do that, then soak my finger in chicken juices, while I chop it up.
No, there is to much, let me sum up
I am now in the process of looking for speakers for the reception, I am thinking that It might actually be easier to get a dj, considering I'll need a microphone for speeches and what not. I dunno...originally the iPod plan seemed so good, but getting the music loud enough that people can hear it, but not so loud so that people think it's overwhelming. I dunno.
Today is Nathan's Birthday, Yesterday was Chris's Birthday, Happy Birthday...
Anyways, back in time.
Thursday was the DMMC member meeting. It was pretty boring, since it was for the purpose of maintaining the tax status of the organization. Voted on some things, listened to some people. Drank some stout. Ate dinner with Dave, listened to Like Knives play. The bass was too loud, so they turned other things up to compensate for it, when all they really needed to do was turn down the bass. I also saw my old roommate Peewee's ex girlfriend Amy there. I couldn't remember her name, so I text message Brandon to find out her name (Amy). I didn't even recognize her, not that she doesn't look the same, it's just that I wasn't that close to her to begin with.
Tuesday, we had our 2nd meeting with the pastor who will be running the wedding. We went through the things we wrote, how we wanted the wedding to be, the music we wanted and he also gave us the instructions to the questions that he gave us the first time...It was really handy to have. We'll probably do the full assignment, but it's nice to know that we're pretty much ready to go...Fine tune some details, get the marriage license.
Sometime during this week I invited the Vossinator to my birthday party next week, and he'll be coming (that rules).
Also, I talked to my dad and he told me a few things. First he told me that my nephew (oldest sister's son) was sucked out into the ocean by a riptide, but since he had swimming lessons was able to be rescued. Initially my youngest sister Lovina tried, but was too tired by the time she got out there, that she couldn't get back, so then a marine, who happened to be there, swam out, got Camden (nephew), and swam out again to get Lovina and by that time he was so tired that he needed their combined efforts to get back. My mom lost her glasses and her brand new cell phone...I think My oldest sister Cara also lost her cell phone, but when it comes down to it, every one was ok, and that's all that mattered.
My dad also told me that it doesn't look like Grandma will be moving back home, so they are making plans to sell her house (to help pay for the nursing home) and dad asked me if there was anything from the house that I wanted, with little thought I came up with the cookie jar that she always had filled with cookies (and I mean always), and the big wooden knife fork and spoon. It just reminds me of all the good meals and family times that we had there. It's hard though, to think that Grandma may not be getting out of the nursing home. I know this will be tough on my dad, I think he's already struggling with the realization of it.
Today we're jetting off to wish Nathan a happy birthday and go see some fireworks in Cedar Rapids. Just an overnight trip, but it's part of the whole goal of avoiding the feast or famine type of visits we have been having (2 weekends a month or so ago, and 3 weekends in a row around Christmas). Speaking of which, I should probably get ready.
a few other things
So I forgot to mention. I made a couple of cakes this past week, for Chris & Holly & Pat's birthdays. I made a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and a flourless carrot torte (Courtney Safe). They both turned out well, although the confectioners sugar on the torte apprently kinda bundled up, so...it didn't look very nice. Both got good reviews at the party and at work.
Also, I took a picture, just cause it's interesting. Here's what 19 pounds of M&Ms looks like. Three 5 pound bags (white, silver and pink) and the rest of it in 8 oz bags of custom printed M&Ms.
Happy Birthday to Chris, Holly and Pat!
So even though this week was short, it was full of meetings and short on real productivity. My frustration with our primary vendor for a content management system has been very high for the last month, but after making some remarks to a sales rep there, I was quickly taken care of (making the total ticket time for the request just under a month). It's still not fully done, but at least it's too the point that I can install the system on our new server (which was my goal).
Friday, we (Deb, Michelle and I (Keith had to go to new hire class, and Brandon had the day off) went to a new chain resturant called Red Robin. It was ok...the fries were good, but the burger (they claim as being the best), was good, but certainly not the best that I've had. And it was free...they want to start the word of mouth, or test their staff in a real rush and maybe get those kinks out, which seems like a good idea to me. We just left a tip.
Friday afternoon, I finished up all my tasks for the day (of the list there were many), and left work a little early. On my mind was hair cut and washing my car, but since my car can wait, I went and got a hair cut, and then I remembered I needed to pick up pictures (we got some photos resized, and some slides made into pictures). They are pictures of us, while we are young...(I said there when I was looking at them, "Was I ever this young?").
When I got home, the M&Ms that we ordered were on the kitchen door's porch. Two big boxes, 19 pounds of chocolate covered candies.
After Shannon got home from work (6:30 or so), we headed out to Culvers for dinner and then came back, picked up the cakes, wine, dopplebock, and Crainium and headed over to Chris and Pat's.
Lots of snacks (pickles, olives, chips, salsa, etc), lots of wine. and in looking around I did notice some Scotch on the counter, still in it's box and so I investigated and found that Dusty had brought it. So With his permission we opened up a bottle of Macallan 12 Year Old.
It has quite a bit of heat to it, so we both added an ice cube to it to mellow it out. Much better. Dusty was also talking about a scoth that he had that smelled like a leather store, but tasted really good...it's slipping my mind as to what it is.
Holly broke into the Carrot Cake, and several people had some, it got good reviews.
Eventually a game of Cranium Happened, with Shannon and I on a team, Courtney and Holly's Mom on a team, Chris's parents, and Holly and...uh...that one girl. Holly's team was far in the lead, but through efforts on our part and me just randomly guessing action words (running), Shannon and I ended up winning.
I moved over to the poker game that was playing in tandem and proceded to loose all my chips (no monetary value) to Chris's Mom (otherwise known as the Card Shark).
But this point I was drunk and looking for more things to drink, so chris and I moved to the cheaper wines, and drank some more.
After the game of Scene it was done, Shannon drove me home, and I went to bed....Shannon had to wake me up to brush my teeth and put my mask on.
Good Party, Lots of fun.
Happy Birthday Chris (a week from yesterday), Holly (yesterday) and Pat (26th)!