Okay, so I'm having some issues with buying the pre-made cigars because they are A) expensive, and B) not what I'm looking for.
So, on to plan B. What if I made the cigars myself? Yes, I know, who would want all of that work? This girl.
I'm contemplating making a chocolate truffle cigar(s) wrapped in brown butcher paper with a homemade sticker for the band. We may have a variety of flavors and may have some with pretzels in them. Sound good? I think so.
Anyone know any good truffle recipes?
I'll be testing it out sometime this week. I'll let you know how it goes.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Choices
The wedding planning has been pretty smooth sailing, which is making me BEYOND excited because I feel like we're half way to done! I know, I know... I'll eat those words later when I realize that I let that feeling get the best of me and I let everything go for a while, but for now I'm feeling pretty good.
However, I have a small dilemma and I'm not quite sure what to do.
Recently, we had discussed wedding favors and thought it may be fun to have cigars (both real and chocolate) and the fiance and I will pass them out as we greet our guests. We weren't really that excited about doing a receiving line so we decided that this may be a fun way to personally thank people and hand them their gift at the reception!
I have done some minor research into the chocolate cigar world of the MN area and have found a couple of custom chocolate companies that have cigars. Unfortunately, the first place does not make their own causing the middleman price to be a little higher than I was hoping.
The second place has cigars that are made on location, but they don't really look like cigars. Fortunately, they have a second cigar that very much looks like a cigar with brown "paper" wrapping and the full shape and exact size that they order from somewhere else. Unfortunately, it is again above what I would like to pay due to middleman markup AND! I think that the realistic cigars are the same cigars from the first chocolate company (at a much cheaper price).
I looked up the imported cigar's manufacturer and I am hoping to see what kind of a discount we can get for a "bulk" purchase or what their standard pricing is with shipping and tax.
Hopefully I can find the same thing for a cheaper price!
*The top one is the realistic cigar (it's broken at one end, but you get the idea) - the bottom cigars look more like gold wrapped turds*
However, I have a small dilemma and I'm not quite sure what to do.
Recently, we had discussed wedding favors and thought it may be fun to have cigars (both real and chocolate) and the fiance and I will pass them out as we greet our guests. We weren't really that excited about doing a receiving line so we decided that this may be a fun way to personally thank people and hand them their gift at the reception!
I have done some minor research into the chocolate cigar world of the MN area and have found a couple of custom chocolate companies that have cigars. Unfortunately, the first place does not make their own causing the middleman price to be a little higher than I was hoping.
The second place has cigars that are made on location, but they don't really look like cigars. Fortunately, they have a second cigar that very much looks like a cigar with brown "paper" wrapping and the full shape and exact size that they order from somewhere else. Unfortunately, it is again above what I would like to pay due to middleman markup AND! I think that the realistic cigars are the same cigars from the first chocolate company (at a much cheaper price).
I looked up the imported cigar's manufacturer and I am hoping to see what kind of a discount we can get for a "bulk" purchase or what their standard pricing is with shipping and tax.
Hopefully I can find the same thing for a cheaper price!
*The top one is the realistic cigar (it's broken at one end, but you get the idea) - the bottom cigars look more like gold wrapped turds*Thursday, October 9, 2008
Happy Halloween!
Last night, the finance and I were at my parent's house to go over wedding this and that when we started getting political.
My mother is republican, however, if you ask her to tell you why... well, let's just say she doesn't really know herself, but she'll fight her "points" to the death... whatever those may be.
My father is a "democrat" that seems to consistently vote republican... and they wonder why I'm so confused!
The finance and I are both in the middle... although I think I swing a little more democrat than he does in the end.
I do a mean Sarah Palin impression and could easily pull off the hairdo, which led the padre to come up with our Halloween costumes this year. This is going to be the best Halloween EVER!
I know you're all jealous, but you just can't top this one. It's an easy costume and it's funnier than frick!
My mother is republican, however, if you ask her to tell you why... well, let's just say she doesn't really know herself, but she'll fight her "points" to the death... whatever those may be.
My father is a "democrat" that seems to consistently vote republican... and they wonder why I'm so confused!
The finance and I are both in the middle... although I think I swing a little more democrat than he does in the end.
I do a mean Sarah Palin impression and could easily pull off the hairdo, which led the padre to come up with our Halloween costumes this year. This is going to be the best Halloween EVER!
I know you're all jealous, but you just can't top this one. It's an easy costume and it's funnier than frick!
Hope you liked the naked story!
I forgot to tell you a little story about this weekend, or more specifically Sunday afternoon, that made my day.
Due to my weaknesses and my desire to keep my job, I agreed to give up my weekends to work at a couple of model homes that my company did landscaping for during the Parade of Homes.
I actually enjoyed it because the builders that I worked with were very pleasant and the people touring the homes were very interested in what I had to say. Unfortunately, last weekend was the final weekend.
Whilst working at one of the models on Sunday I, being stationed in the basement, was watching a riveting episode of Planet Earth when I hear two middle-aged women beginning their decent to the "underworld" where I was ready to greet them. But I could not greet them as I began to hear the conversation that they were already partway through.
"...so, I decided to go shut the front door before going to bed. And I mean I was BUTT NAKED. When I got to the door I looked up and there were a bunch of (my son's) friends T.P.ing our yard!" said woman number one.
"Oh no!" cried woman number two.
"I know! They screamed and I screamed and then I ran out of the room" said woman number one as she laughed hysterically.
"Did you tell (your son)?"
"Oh sure!"
"What did he say?!"
"He just laughed..."
At this point I was blushing furiously and glancing down at the granite counter top and trying to hide behind the bar stools as much as possible. Both women looked up and greeted me happily as though nothing had happened and began to inspect the HUGE big screen TV and the gruesome murder scene that was playing out between a small fox and some baby snow geese.
Once they had completed their tour they proceeded to ask me a few questions, take some brochures and move back towards the stairs.
At that moment, one of them looked back and said, "Thanks! Hope you liked the naked story!"
Due to my weaknesses and my desire to keep my job, I agreed to give up my weekends to work at a couple of model homes that my company did landscaping for during the Parade of Homes.
I actually enjoyed it because the builders that I worked with were very pleasant and the people touring the homes were very interested in what I had to say. Unfortunately, last weekend was the final weekend.
Whilst working at one of the models on Sunday I, being stationed in the basement, was watching a riveting episode of Planet Earth when I hear two middle-aged women beginning their decent to the "underworld" where I was ready to greet them. But I could not greet them as I began to hear the conversation that they were already partway through.
"...so, I decided to go shut the front door before going to bed. And I mean I was BUTT NAKED. When I got to the door I looked up and there were a bunch of (my son's) friends T.P.ing our yard!" said woman number one.
"Oh no!" cried woman number two.
"I know! They screamed and I screamed and then I ran out of the room" said woman number one as she laughed hysterically.
"Did you tell (your son)?"
"Oh sure!"
"What did he say?!"
"He just laughed..."
At this point I was blushing furiously and glancing down at the granite counter top and trying to hide behind the bar stools as much as possible. Both women looked up and greeted me happily as though nothing had happened and began to inspect the HUGE big screen TV and the gruesome murder scene that was playing out between a small fox and some baby snow geese.
Once they had completed their tour they proceeded to ask me a few questions, take some brochures and move back towards the stairs.
At that moment, one of them looked back and said, "Thanks! Hope you liked the naked story!"
Monday, October 6, 2008
A Down Economy
I wish that I could say that I have not seen the ugly side of this down economy. Although, I still have my job (as of now) and I'm still able to afford my home, car, insurance, etc., I have begun to see the negative effects creeping into my office and home.
For instance, at my place of employment we are all nervous about our industry. We are truly a luxury service and priced right at the top of our competition. Although sales aren't as bad as some of the more negative of workers had predicted earlier in the year, they are still down. There has been an undercurrent of fear and anxiety over whether or not most of us will still be employed come Christmas and, if this scenario should happen to us, will there be any jobs out there to fill our void?
I have diligently watched the job market for myself... just in case. Checking in with one of the easiest places to find job postings that are relevant for myself, I have found there to be quite a drought. Previously, I had checked this website regularly to find at least 2-3 new jobs posted throughout the day. Now, the job list, which had once been pages long, is down to one page and has not been updated since early September. Unless I missed some notice that the website has been down, I am left to believe that everyone has stopped hiring. I believe the latter to be true.
At home we watch the news and read the papers hoping for the slightest glimpse of sun amongst the dense, gray fog of depression. My finance (truly fiance, however I always misspell it and he has come to call me finance to poke fun at me) and I often talk about the "what ifs" and our strategy if one or both of us are to be laid off. We joked just yesterday about pulling all of our money out of the banks and burying it in the yard.
However, I think our country was out of control for so long that this is what we needed. My hope is that through all of this fear and loss we are able to grow stronger as a country. I understand that I am really not one to say my next comment, but I feel that it is necessary. We have been so spoiled and reliant on everyone else to do everything for us. We don't value anything anymore and we are lacking in the most basic of skills. Without the vast amounts of disposable income and convenience of our high tech devices, we are useless. Well, at least a good portion of us are.
Maybe when this is all said and done, we will possess skills and value the lifestyle we are allowed to live instead of lazily complaining about having to do anything at all. I don't know what the future holds, but I hope that these hard times will bring us back to Earth.
For instance, at my place of employment we are all nervous about our industry. We are truly a luxury service and priced right at the top of our competition. Although sales aren't as bad as some of the more negative of workers had predicted earlier in the year, they are still down. There has been an undercurrent of fear and anxiety over whether or not most of us will still be employed come Christmas and, if this scenario should happen to us, will there be any jobs out there to fill our void?
I have diligently watched the job market for myself... just in case. Checking in with one of the easiest places to find job postings that are relevant for myself, I have found there to be quite a drought. Previously, I had checked this website regularly to find at least 2-3 new jobs posted throughout the day. Now, the job list, which had once been pages long, is down to one page and has not been updated since early September. Unless I missed some notice that the website has been down, I am left to believe that everyone has stopped hiring. I believe the latter to be true.
At home we watch the news and read the papers hoping for the slightest glimpse of sun amongst the dense, gray fog of depression. My finance (truly fiance, however I always misspell it and he has come to call me finance to poke fun at me) and I often talk about the "what ifs" and our strategy if one or both of us are to be laid off. We joked just yesterday about pulling all of our money out of the banks and burying it in the yard.
However, I think our country was out of control for so long that this is what we needed. My hope is that through all of this fear and loss we are able to grow stronger as a country. I understand that I am really not one to say my next comment, but I feel that it is necessary. We have been so spoiled and reliant on everyone else to do everything for us. We don't value anything anymore and we are lacking in the most basic of skills. Without the vast amounts of disposable income and convenience of our high tech devices, we are useless. Well, at least a good portion of us are.
Maybe when this is all said and done, we will possess skills and value the lifestyle we are allowed to live instead of lazily complaining about having to do anything at all. I don't know what the future holds, but I hope that these hard times will bring us back to Earth.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Ode to Life Time Fitness
Oh Life Time, Oh Life Time
you are a wonderful thing
You get me off my bum
and make my heart sing
You offer me classes
unlimited, all day
and you shave off my pounds
in a delightful and fun way
I get a personal trainer
she motivates me so
and I come in every morning
whether it be rain, shine or snow
So hats off to thee Life Time
for accommodating my needs
for I want to look good
for my wedding in 52 weeks (to the day to be precise!)
you are a wonderful thing
You get me off my bum
and make my heart sing
You offer me classes
unlimited, all day
and you shave off my pounds
in a delightful and fun way
I get a personal trainer
she motivates me so
and I come in every morning
whether it be rain, shine or snow
So hats off to thee Life Time
for accommodating my needs
for I want to look good
for my wedding in 52 weeks (to the day to be precise!)
Friday, September 26, 2008
Go Go Gadget Wedding Planner
I was having a convo with my pops the other night about my habits when planning an event or doing a project. Unfortunately, he has me figured out and I'm terrified of my own terrible trends.
I was on my way home from doing some much needed and loved volunteer work and I called the old dad to see what was going on in his life.
As usual, all talk turned to the wedding and I began to tell him all of the things that I have accomplished this week. He responded in awe that I wasn't procrastinating, but then caught himself and said, "Well, you usually do well in the beginning, but then procrastinate at the end".
It is true. He knows me too well.
I just keep thinking to myself that if I can get everything started, at the very least, I can probably get most of my checklist and projects done or close to it before the stress builds and the procrastination sets in.
I was on my way home from doing some much needed and loved volunteer work and I called the old dad to see what was going on in his life.
As usual, all talk turned to the wedding and I began to tell him all of the things that I have accomplished this week. He responded in awe that I wasn't procrastinating, but then caught himself and said, "Well, you usually do well in the beginning, but then procrastinate at the end".
It is true. He knows me too well.
I just keep thinking to myself that if I can get everything started, at the very least, I can probably get most of my checklist and projects done or close to it before the stress builds and the procrastination sets in.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Liar's Remorse
I recently had to work at an event for my job. Although it was a Sunday, I was kind of excited because it was at a place that me, myself, and I had done the design and I would be able to answer any and all questions about my work. Big self-esteem builder!
Unfortunately, people are pretty unpredictable and instead of asking "safe" or "appropriate" questions, they will dive right in for the juicy gossip and opinions even though they don't know me. With that comes the obvious, and as we all know if we have been reading any part of this blog previously, I HATE the company I work for and I wish I could broadcast it to the world with every single detail so everyone would know to avoid this place if they are looking for employment! However, I need my job at this point because I am what we call, um, poor.
Let me give you an example of one of the many forms of a particular question that came up and I had to answer while choking and gagging at my own response.
"So, do you like working there?"
What do you think I'm going to say? No matter what my feelings, I don't know you from Adam!!! I'm not going to divulge my pure, unadulterated hated for my job when I'm there to be promoting the very services that bring in my paycheck every week!!!!
Every time I must answer in a very sweet yet believable tone, "Oh yes!! It is wonderful! I get to work on something new every single day!" This usually leaves them satisfied and then they walk away. Meanwhile, I'm in the corner puking my guts out and wondering if I should wash my mouth out with soap because of my profanity!
Unfortunately, people are pretty unpredictable and instead of asking "safe" or "appropriate" questions, they will dive right in for the juicy gossip and opinions even though they don't know me. With that comes the obvious, and as we all know if we have been reading any part of this blog previously, I HATE the company I work for and I wish I could broadcast it to the world with every single detail so everyone would know to avoid this place if they are looking for employment! However, I need my job at this point because I am what we call, um, poor.
Let me give you an example of one of the many forms of a particular question that came up and I had to answer while choking and gagging at my own response.
"So, do you like working there?"
What do you think I'm going to say? No matter what my feelings, I don't know you from Adam!!! I'm not going to divulge my pure, unadulterated hated for my job when I'm there to be promoting the very services that bring in my paycheck every week!!!!
Every time I must answer in a very sweet yet believable tone, "Oh yes!! It is wonderful! I get to work on something new every single day!" This usually leaves them satisfied and then they walk away. Meanwhile, I'm in the corner puking my guts out and wondering if I should wash my mouth out with soap because of my profanity!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Exhaustion Ain't Fun
I'm engaged!
I'm obviously very excited about this next adventure in my life, yet I still have a billion other responsibilities to tend to that are not wedding related. Work is amazingly bizarre lately and the amount of random projects that I have to work on never seem to cease.
To top everything off, I have an insane schedule for touring possible reception locations. This is leading me to have to leave work at a normal hour instead of my usual 10-12 hour days.
I can definitely understand why people get planners!!
However, I'm still really excited!
I'm obviously very excited about this next adventure in my life, yet I still have a billion other responsibilities to tend to that are not wedding related. Work is amazingly bizarre lately and the amount of random projects that I have to work on never seem to cease.
To top everything off, I have an insane schedule for touring possible reception locations. This is leading me to have to leave work at a normal hour instead of my usual 10-12 hour days.
I can definitely understand why people get planners!!
However, I'm still really excited!
Monday, August 25, 2008
Too Little, Too Long
I don't know that I have a great way to start this post other than to tell you that over the years the Adobe Suite has become both my closest friend and my most loathed enemy. I don't know why I feel the need to share this with you as I am sure that anyone that reads this would find this post boring and would be unable to relate to it, but I must. I am compelled because I am perplexed.
Adobe and I were introduced in an intense class one cold day in January of 2002. The class pertained to digital photography, something that I was very excited to learn more about. Adobe released her sweet baby, Photoshop, into my shaky,unsure arms and from there we began the get-to-know-you dance. She laid out her basic steps and I clumsily mimicked them in hopes of taking my photography to a new level of artistic grace and beauty... maybe even edginess.
Slowly but surely she began to introduce me to her other children, InDesign and Illustrator. Thus far, Illustrator has proven to be a shy and skittish creature, preferring to keep to itself. InDesign, on the other hand, has taken charge and become very outgoing. She has shown me the ways of professional layout and I am very grateful for everything that she has offered me.
However, all three are obviously born of the same mother and have proven to be tricky and witty. The language they speak is often foreign and at times very confusing. They conceal some of their greatest talents from me and I have to coax them out into the open using every tool I can get my hands on.
Don't get me wrong, I'm sure if I took some graphic design classes that I would be able to float through these programs as though I had known them from birth. However, I feel discouraged as I have taken many a class pertaining around Adobe Suite and her language of gibberish. At one point, I even had to help the professor as he had forgotten what some of the tools were capable of and how to use them.
I use the tutorials and I learn certain tricks from blogs online, but Adobe and I have been dancing partners for six years now and I feel as though I have just scratched the surface of this mysterious yet familiar beast.
This will be my lifelong goal - maybe this is my Wells Fargo Someday commercial.
Someday... proficiency in Adobe.
Adobe and I were introduced in an intense class one cold day in January of 2002. The class pertained to digital photography, something that I was very excited to learn more about. Adobe released her sweet baby, Photoshop, into my shaky,unsure arms and from there we began the get-to-know-you dance. She laid out her basic steps and I clumsily mimicked them in hopes of taking my photography to a new level of artistic grace and beauty... maybe even edginess.
Slowly but surely she began to introduce me to her other children, InDesign and Illustrator. Thus far, Illustrator has proven to be a shy and skittish creature, preferring to keep to itself. InDesign, on the other hand, has taken charge and become very outgoing. She has shown me the ways of professional layout and I am very grateful for everything that she has offered me.
However, all three are obviously born of the same mother and have proven to be tricky and witty. The language they speak is often foreign and at times very confusing. They conceal some of their greatest talents from me and I have to coax them out into the open using every tool I can get my hands on.
Don't get me wrong, I'm sure if I took some graphic design classes that I would be able to float through these programs as though I had known them from birth. However, I feel discouraged as I have taken many a class pertaining around Adobe Suite and her language of gibberish. At one point, I even had to help the professor as he had forgotten what some of the tools were capable of and how to use them.
I use the tutorials and I learn certain tricks from blogs online, but Adobe and I have been dancing partners for six years now and I feel as though I have just scratched the surface of this mysterious yet familiar beast.
This will be my lifelong goal - maybe this is my Wells Fargo Someday commercial.
Someday... proficiency in Adobe.
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