“… a two way street to get into this mess, and a two way street to get out…”
Well, or something very close to that.
Yes, our governor just said that. I heard it. On TV.
Say … WHAT??!!
It was said in Riverside. About the housing problems and foreclosures going on these days in our lovely state. (I guess it’s especially bad down there.)
Just in case anyone out there wants to know …
I enjoyed Thanksgiving. Having all the kids home is nice, and Mel is here this time too. For t-day dinner we had Mom, Carolyn, Jessica and Raj, and Megan as well. Food was great. Company wonderful. (And leftovers plentiful.)
Yesterday the kids and I actually braved the mall (minus Brandon). I don’t usually do that, and I didn’t really go to find any deals. But we went, and after a while we’d had enough and came home. Kelsey, Mel and I did a bit of looking at wedding things. I think Kelsey has a good idea, now, of what she’d like, so now the rest is really up to them. I’ll go down there again, of course, but meeting the vendors is probably up to them. I’ll write checks. The rest of yesterday was spent doing a whole lotta nothing. I’m good at that!
Today Kelsey and I went shopping to find her a few things. It was a rewarding trip! Invitations and that goes with them were chosen and ordered. Later she and Mel figured out tuxes, and we again did a whole lot of nothing. Jameson and Brandon then went with me to get measured for tuxes, since Brandon won’t be back until the wedding.
So some things have been accomplished, but I think mostly I didn’t do a lot. And I’m exhausted. Go figure!
Tomorrow the house will go from six to two. I’m sure it’ll feel empty. I’m guessing Monday will be a major cleaning day.
I found out—always best to read that fine print!—that Bed, Bath & Beyond doesn’t accept the 20% off coupons for Waterford china. Go figure! They also don’t allow you to use them for Lenox crystal. So much for that, eh?
BUT … I found out that Amazon.com sells Kelsey’s and Mel’s pattern! (Or should that be “Kelsey and Mel’s”? Carolyn? I can’t figure that kind of stuff out and I’m too lazy to read up on it.) And the price is pretty incredible***, if what I read is true. Very cool!
***They changed the price! I got a set for $67.50. I noticed that now the link has changed and it’s back up as high as anywhere else. Rats! I really should have ordered a lot more. Double rats!
Sooo … I continue to shop around. You can get the five piece place setting here for slightly under $100.
Here it’s $120, but comes with the soup bowl as well.
One other place with lower prices.
I didn’t even know Amazon.com sold things like china. It looks like they carry Lenox too. Below are the water goblet and wine goblet:
And finally, her flatware:
Dansk Bistro Cafe, 5 piece place setting
Dansk Bistro Cafe, 3-Piece Hostess Set
News you can use … maybe?! Or maybe just fun for mom to put up here. ;-)
A quote from Project Runway: “… a little MOB … Mother of the Bride” … ack! Is that what folks are gonna say about me? Uh-oh … ;-)
In other news (thanks Kelsey!) … American Girl Dolls has moved into hippie land.
For Julie Albright, life after her parents’ divorce holds as many ups and downs as the hilly streets of San Francisco. Julie misses her old bedroom, her pet rabbit, her best friend, Ivy—and most of all, having her whole family together.
But Julie begins to see that change also brings new possibilities. By taking charge of her new life, she learns to believe in herself—and that love can hold a family together even when they live apart. (RTWT)
Another ACK, if you ask me!
It appears that Kelsey and Mel have found the place! It’s in Temecula, which is a drive away from them, at Falkner Winery. They said it was wonderful, and I’m looking forward to seeing it. I do hope I get there sometime earlier… maybe in Spring, if they need me to help with flower shopping or cake shopping or something. Or maybe Dan and I could take a little trip down there, taste some of the Falkner wines, and just have a mini-vacation. We’ll see! But they’ve found it, and the date is now going to be Sunday, June 22, and the wedding will be in the evening. Of course I do have to sign a contract and send in that non-refundable deposit, before they lose the spot. But family folk who read this … save the date!
We all do understand if people can’t make it; it’s quite a drive … Temecula is probably about a 7 hour drive from here, I would guess. But I know Kelsey and Mel would love to see family who can manage it! :-)
Sounds like Kelsey, Mel and Dan are finding better possibilities for a wedding ceremony and reception this weekend! I have a feeling I am not the best person to help do the “in person” searching. Could it be that I add extra stress? I’m guessing so.
Dan is there until Monday, and they have one place to check on Monday morning. Then I guess it’s a few more places next weekend (Kelsey & Mel will have to do those on their own), and then I suspect we’ll have a place figured out. To me that’s the piece of the puzzle that allows everything else to fall into place. The dress was the fun piece of the puzzle, but it’s really not linked to much! The location allows everything else to be figured out; invitations can be put together, they’ll know if they need to go to an outside bakery for a cake, they’ll know how much they’ll have to decorate on their own and how much will be provided … and much more!
I’m just jealous that I won’t get to see the venue until … well … maybe not until the wedding! Ah well! That’s life, when you live 6 hours away.
Yesterday was my day off (well, I did teach and went to a UCSC concert). Today I am back to opera. I just really need to work on reeds. Sigh.
Kelsey and Mel have registered at Bed Bath & Beyond, although they’ve not signed up for much yet. You can see what they’ve put on so far if you go here. Unfortunately BB&B seems to be missing a lot of the China pieces at the moment. Still, if you decide you want to get them something from there, be sure and save those BB&B coupons! (Of course there are other places, too, where you can get discounts. Of course I don’t know if the place is reputable.)
If you want to see a better picture of their china, just go to the Waterford site. Their pattern is Lisette. And yeah, it makes me want to change china patterns! :-)
So now I have yet another reason to fear the dentist.
Fortunately mine never dances. Whew!
and I’m tired.
I’m so glad this weekend worked for a trip down south! It was clearly a good idea to get down there now, so the kids could start working on their plans, and I could (I hope!) help … without being too much in the way. (I’m sure I was still a nuisance, but what’s a mother to do?)
Tomorrow I will attempt to rest, but I also will have some major housekeeping to do, and I have two students to teach. The remainder of the week I have opera from 1:00 to 4:00 every afternoon with students coming right when I get home. So it’s back to work I go!
