Apparently so... the polls open today for the Primary Election and I'm included on the ballot. I'm running for Columbia School Board. What's funny is that my "Pagan for School Board" signs don't include an accent over the last "a" in Pagan so it reads "Pagan School Board". I think that's one to send to Jay Leno...At any rate, get out there and exercise your ability to vote and think of me when you pull that lever... or push that button.
So it's happened...
As I've said before... time misses no one... I've finally reached the 4-0. Does it feel any different? Only if you count the times that people have said "you don't look any older than 37 or 38" ... thhhaaaanks! Time for a tune up. I've decided to start running... NEXT Monday.Well... I have to run off to create the Perfect Setting for myself this weekend! Smooches!
The new season has started!
Actually lots of things have just started... it's starting to get nice out (finally), I see a bee outside of my window so that means bugs are starting to come out (ugh!), spring fever has started (why does everyone start wearing shorts the very first day the sun says "hi"?) and last but not least... wedding season has just started - for me that is. My first wedding was this last past Saturday and as it happens every year... I'm hooked. My assistant couldn't join me this past Saturday and I had the pleasure of working with Whitney. I would much rather work with Whitney than to hire another assistant b/c Whit grew up in the industry and has probably been to more weddings than most people. There are just certain things you can't train a person on when it comes to weddings.
Anyway, the logistics of the church were a nightmare. The church was this old Victorian/Gothic church which had the organist's back toward the pews. In order for the organist to know when to switch songs he needed a que from us. There was this little button on the back of the last pew. Well... I'll tell you what. That little button was very stressful. Whitney ushered the boys in from the front.... ran through the graveyard and in through one of the front doors to the pew while I stayed with the bridesmaids and bride. She pushed that god-forsaken button 2 times at very critical points - I pushed it 2 other times. At rehearsal Whit said "I think I should wear sneakers tomorrow" - but she didn't. No one was the wiser and everything went very well. 2 hours after the wedding - at the reception I asked Whit "how are your feet" she said "you know back centuries ago when they used to bind Asian girl's feet?.... that's what mine feel like right about now" Oh, Whitney.. taking after her mother even when she doesn't want to. She'd never admit it but she loves weddings as much as I do and mark my words... Whit will join the family business when she's not looking.
Isaac!
Anyone that knows me knows that I just love Isaac Mizrahi - however, I don't like the way he says "ok, clap for her, clap for her!!" - that works on my last nerve! Anyway, he is a great designer and all of his lines are carried at my very favorite store, Target. Well, I got a Daily Candy email blast today and they were "unveiling" (love the pun) Isaac's Bridal line. Here's the blast: I was previously told by a colleague on the web but I hadn't see the line. Very nice, Mr. Mizrahi!!
The waiting is over!
I've been in blogger's withdrawal for some time now. Updating and redesigning a web site isn't as easy as it sounds. Trust me. I'm no writer so if you go through some of my pages and find that something just doesn't sound right... just call me!I'm glad I can finally post. I've had a ton of things that I wanted to post about... like Sanjaya singing "Bésame mucho" .... *sigh* how sexy was that? Mind you... I'm no fan of Sanjaya Malakar but I give credit where it's due. (the link is actually sung in English... however.... it's much sexier in Spanish - definitely lost in translation!) I'm not sorry that he's gone. I think there is a lot of good talent on the show. Speaking of... how cruel was that last week? That was awful. You can tell I watch hardly any TV; I get totally involved and hear nothing else going on around me. Sad but true. Anyway, back to Sanjaya... I hadn't heard that song in so long and maybe it was that but, I tell you, that was the sexiest rendition of "Besame" that I've ever heard. Now that I have the opportunity... I'm complete tanked out. I've suddenly lost my train of thought. Trust me.. it will come to me...
Pass the coffee!!
Every time I go to my girlfriend Sue's we always have the best coffee ever! She has this vintage percolator that she's had for a long time. I told her I was so jealous and she said "I have an extra pot downstairs but it's a lot smaller" .... not a problem! Just for Tony and me! So she gave me a coffee pot just like this one. It's probably from the 1970's... can I tell you how wonderful this coffee is? OMG... talk about a good cup of coffee... I'm so addicted. I almost ripped Tony's arm off this morning when he went to unplug it. DON'T TOUCH THE PERCOLATOR!We need to get back to the basics, people ... no wonder everyone was happy in the 70's. The coffee was great.. what else could you want? I love mornings now. It gives me something to look forward to after a night the Willow... yes, she's still in diapers and yes, I'm still dog sitting. UGH! I just have to keep counting my blessings! Starting with Sue giving me the percolator of the year.
Guanabana
Pronounced: gu-wa-na-ba-naMy mom called me and told me that Hector fell out of the bed like a guanabana. Of all things to fall like he falls like a guanabana. She said when he hit the floor he was tangled up in his sheets and his face was pressed against the floor and he couldn't breathe. You think I'm making this up, right? Nope. My mom... the queen of comedy. She opened the front door and saw some guy walking the street and said "hey, come help me" the guy points to his chest and says "me?" and she says, "yeah, JEW!" (that's a Spanish pronunciation of "you" - jew know what I mean?) and so she has this perfect stranger coming into her house at about 4 am to help her with getting Hector off the floor. He comes in and says (in Spanish) "ma'am don't strain your back" and Hector yells "get me off this *%$# floor!" - mind you, he doesn't even know this guy who has now become a good Samaritan and he's cursing him. The guy asks "should I call 911?" and Hector yells "get me off this *%$# floor!" so the guy picks him up and tucks him back in bed. The world is a better place now.... Mami and Hector didn't get mugged and Hector and his foot are back in a warm place. I told Mami that this is precisely why Hector is in a nursing home. She told me he was to be at the home by 3 pm..... she had him there at 2.
I just hate cicadas!
This is it... this takes the cake... I found this article about wacky weddings and I can really tell you, there's a difference between a wacky wedding and a bizarre wedding! I've been kissed by drunken men and that's a wacky wedding (that's not what Tony calls it) but inviting cicadas to the wedding via a favor... nope that doesn't do it for me! And let me forewarn you... don't ever ask me to capture a gator... I have to draw the line somewhere!http://specialevents.com/newsletter
Encore please...
I thought this was interesting. It's an article from Special Events Magazine (the same magazine that featured Perfect Settings last year) that talks about second time around marriages. Normally, when I see brides that are being married for the second time (no matter their age) they know right from the door what they want... no questions asked. These women have given their wedding a lot of thought... it's more like hindsight being 20/20.http://specialevents.com/newsletter/I_do_redo_Encore_weddings_on_the_rise_20070321/ I especially like the last line in the article. Cracked me up!!
Hurry, do something!
Whit brought Willow for the weekend because she was to get spayed on Monday. Turns out, Whit probably waited a little too long.... I told her that if she didn't find something to do with this dog she would have to go back home... this was the result....
As you can see, Pebbles was as dumbfounded as Tony and me when we got home from a dinner party (BTW... it was the best meatloaf ever!) I had to deal with this dumb puppy all weekend with the swishing diaper. I guess God was smiling on us and figured we don't have enough to laugh about in our lives..... I beg to differ!
Guess what? Whit had the wrong date written down and Willow isn't scheduled for surgery for another 2 weeks! UGH!
$85?!
My daughter bought me eye cream for Christmas and it was just this tiny little thing. Well, I decide that I'm going to treat myself and go buy a new one. I get to the cosmetic counter and say "I'd like to buy some "Perfectionist"" "sure" she says "which size?" and takes out all of the sizes they offer. Well, I may have grown up poor but my mother loved Watt & Shand's Department Store - so I'm forewarned. "How about the smallest one?" - when I say small... I mean really small. "how many ounces is that?" "That is our one ounce size" she says in her most proper diction. "That will be $85.00." "Hmm.... I think I'm going to think about that one" - she's thinking "yeah, lady, I bet you are" but truthfully, I am thinking about that.... I'm thinking what in God's creation can be in that tiny bottle that would justify Estee Lauder to charge $85.00 for an ounce of cream! I mean, I could be a spokesperson for Perfectionist - I really could. I lost quite a bit of weight while crying over the reception hall and in the process have lost the fat pads under my eyes.... age gets you one way or the other... fat and happy or slim and ugly. What's the deal? Anyway, Perfectionist is a tiny little magic wand in a bottle. When you put that stuff on and then put concealer on to hide the raccoon eyes that you have now that you don't have fat pads, the little wand just fills in those ugly little creases that the concealer makes. *sigh* creases or raccoon eyes.... I'm going to have to deal with the raccoon eyes for a little while. I can't justify buying an ounce of glory for $85 when taxes are just around the corner. They must put a little drop of water from the fountain of youth into that bottle.BTW.... I should call the Bon-Ton! They have a $30 mark-up on Perfectionist!! When I went to create my link I see that I can buy it on line for $55.00.... I may be able to justify the glory cream for $55.00! In Tony's eyes $85.00 may as well be $100.00 but $55.00 is truly just $50.00... right?!
Soup Party
I'm sooo looking forward to this! It's my favorite time of year. We've been hosting soup parties for quite a long time but this is the first time that I'll be able to host one in the Reception Hall Ballroom. I'm really excited about this.
I sent out an email blast on Saturday morning and forgot to attach the e-vite - DUHHH. If you were one of those people, I apologize. If I forgot you in the blast - I apologize for that too!
Try to make it to the party. I normally have over 15 different soups. If you are a "soup person" you're going to love this party!
Susquehanna Glass Open House
Calling all DIY brides!! Susquehanna Glass Company - here in little ol' Columbia - is having its annual Open House. Last year I was asked to talk about "Why every bride in every budget should hire a wedding planner." I bet there were over 125 people there. This year they are having the Fabulous Claudia Himes from Special Occasions. If you have missed most of the wedding shows this year be sure that you don't miss this one. I'm not just saying that. Claudia is truly amazing with linens. She can dress a high-top 15 different ways with the same linen... OK maybe not 15 different ways but you'll lose count after the 5th one anyway. She's awesome. Claudia has some of the most luxurious linens on the market. I'm a sucker for nice linens. Even if you aren't into linens you may want to stop in and see Nancy Gingrich for decorating ideas. She's no chopped liver either. Nancy works for Longwood Gardens and she's the queen of stunning and simple centerpieces. If none of this brings you out.... come anyway so you can people watch and see that you're not the only one obsessing over the details. You can compare nightmares and dreams with some other brides.
Green weddings
So the trend is moving on to Eco-friendly weddings. There's a whole web site dedicated to just this. http://www.justgive.org/worldwildlifefund/weddings/index.jspIt ceases to amaze me how many different directions any function could go. I recently saw a client who is throwing a Quinceanero for her daughter and we must have spent 1/2 hour dedicated solely to finding a theme that fit the birthday girl. I'm sure that there is a bride out there who is itching to have a "green wedding" and just didn't know if they should pursue it - honestly, I've never done one but I'd love to. I hate to sound like a commercial but I'd like to help you have your wedding exactly how you envision it. That's part of the passion of this industry. Stepping back seeing what the client sees and executing a perfect delivery. Besides, if you try to plan this wedding yourself you're just going to spend a whole lot of gas in your not-so-conservative-gas-guzzling-car when all you have to do is make a phone call to me!!
Don't ring the "Bells"
I've had several people ask me about the Wedding Bells show today. My sister said she was going to call me and get me out of bed to watch it - since I was sick - and BTW... my eyeballs are feeling just fine today, thank you. Anyway, I did watch the show. Actually I was really looking forward to it. I thought it would be a bleed from "Whose wedding is it anyway?" but it was far from that. Yes, I did laugh when the wedding singer sang "I will survive" - who sings about surviving a break up at a wedding? - and I did laugh when the planner spoke into her talkie "we've got a runner" but other than that it was very disturbing. Sure we get difficult clients - none of which are you! - but thankfully they are few and far between - if they weren't I wouldn't love this industry so much - but to build a whole show on the difficult client, have a planner sleep with one of the groomsmen - in a linen closet no less - have one of the planners drink at one of the functions, have a Rabbi bribed to say "Jesus" and have one wedding totally cancel is not what we do. Oh, and why do they always make men out to be total morons on TV? Do you actually think my husband would be calling out day and night "but I'm the COO" - what the heck is the deal with that? Why is it that the man has to play a total idiot on TV? Did you ever notice that? They're always really big dummies that remind you of Baby Huey. At any rate, what a total let down. I don't watch TV much since Seinfeld went off the air. I think I may watch an hour of TV a week. So needless to say, I was totally looking forward to having an addiction to this show that would tie into my business. I thought it was going to be something that was going to be a buzz in our industry. Something that we could run to the web and say "did you see those totally AWESOME centerpieces on the Bells last night?" Instead LOTS of planners were disappointed last night. I'm glad I wasn't the only one.
Would my eyeballs hurt so much if they weren't so big?
That's the question for the week. I can tell when I'm getting sick because my eyeballs hurt. My son who doesn't have large eyeballs thinks this is weird. My daughter who does have huge eyeballs knows exactly what I'm talking about - BTW she knows about those air bubbles under the eyelids too! Soooo, my eyeballs hurt! I thought, yesterday, that they were hurting so much because I did a photo shoot for Whit (which, btw, was very painful in itself - when I was done with the shoot I went to the bathroom and saw I had a huge piece of an almond stuck between my front teeth! ugh. How come Whit didn't notice that? She claims she is being graded on lighting... these pictures are going to be just lovely) well she had me moving my eyeballs all over the place! I told her they were going to fall out of my head but she didn't believe me. So in addition to my eyeballs hurting, my throat (or like my kids used to say "my troat") has been throbbing for 2 days. I can safely say I think I'm getting sick. Out goes the theory that you can't get sick if you work from home. I think germs some how come to me, though - maybe through family and friends. I get sick few and far between - thank God Almighty, but this is the kind of sick I hate... hurting eyeballs (the worse in the world), face that throbs, throat kills, skin hurts, hair hurts... you know the kind. I'm going to bed and watch Opry. Hopefully by dinnertime I'll feel like living again. I have to construct my 40th birthday invites and am really looking forward to that. Maybe that's why I'm getting sick... I'm facing the fact that I will no longer own collagen, gravity will win (always does), metabolism will pack its bags and leave me and Author will come to visit the joints. Hello 40! Nevertheless, I look forward to it - not like 30 - and will delve right into my favorite thing in life.... CANDY for my party. But until then... I have to contend with the hurting eyeballs. .... funny, Tylenol doesn't have "hurting eyeballs" as one of their symptoms that they claim to relieve. I have to go on faith, take 2 Tylenol and hope for the best. I'll let you know how they're doing tomorrow.
10 things to do with your fiance before you get married!
I found this really cute article. It's probably 5 yrs old or more:10 things to do... 1. Read the inscriptions from your high school yearbooks. 2. Practice your first kiss as man and wife. (BTW... I always tell my brides this one!! - it's so important, people!) 3. Spontaneously call in sick and spend the day together. 4. Write funny fake wedding vows like: "I promise not to roll my eyes while you watch The Simpson's." 5. Re-create your first date. 6. Give each other foot massages (no cold feet here). 7. Toss your ex's memorabilia. 8. Burp. It happens, and you better just get over it already. 9. Get caller ID to screen calls from your "wedding planner" parents. 10. Confess your most hated possession of the other's and agree to donate both.
OK... wasn't that cute? I just love them. I'm on planner overload with wedding season quickly approaching. This weekend I had a Quinceanero that was booked here. They didn't procure my services for planning. The parents of the Quinceanera are from another country that doesn't hurry and hustle for a living. They were running behind and when they finally got here I was in fifth gear. Then I realized I was the only one moving fast and the only one that was anxious plus they really didn't need my help. Not everyone needs to have every detail to be exactly perfect... so I politely excused myself and allowed them to take their time and do it as they pleased.... in first gear. In the end it was simply beautiful and everyone was happy. I'm ready for wedding season.
Never a dull moment....
Yesterday being Thursday, of course, I made my weekly visit to the town's Market House - my favorite thing to do on Thursdays (BTW... Market will be open on Saturdays starting next week - woo-hoo!) after having very meaningful conversations (not) I came home to change my clothes and start wash - one of the glories of working from home - I guess someone would say - that someone isn't me. Anyway, I came home changed into the wonderful sweats and start sorting wash. (I love that I can throw my baskets over the balcony and not have to carry them down the steps. ) Anthony came home shortly after. He says "hey, what's that smell?" "what smell?" "I smell something metallic" When The Chemists speaks I listen. I come out the laundry room and I smell it too. I have a bionic nose, BTW. The search began. I touched every electrical outlet, cord, appliance - anything that had to do with electricity because it smelled electrical. We searched for 40 minutes to no avail. I called my nephew the firefighter and he treks over. He says "Aunt Daysi (that's how they all pronounce it) I think you should call it in." Just then Tony calls from Hsbg. He's asks all of the no brainer questions and just frustrated me more. OF COURSE I CHECKED THE SPACE HEATER IN THE OFFICE!! So Lewie calls it in. The three ring circus began. The police show up first and say "ma'am, get a coat on and step outside ... you may want to take your dog with you" so Pebby, Anth and me go out. A truckload of firemen show up - none say "HI" - what's the deal? - they begin up the steps. There's one particular fireman that catches my eye.... he's carrying a very large poker. "Uhhhh, I hope you guys ask before you use that thing!" I shout. Lewie goes in after them. After about 15 minutes the firemen all start pouring out. The Fire Chief says "I'm sorry, we didn't find anything. If you feel you need us, don't hesitate to call us again.... by the way, you sure have a nice house there" ...... thaaannnkkks. I come in and turn to the boys... I still smell something. The boys tell me the firemen used meters and such and I just had a nervous nose. K - got it.Hours later, Tony comes home and says the place is freezing - I've been running around setting up for an event this week, working in the office, doing the wonderful wash, cooking, washing last night's pots (gasp) and cleaning so I was not cold. He turns up the heat and heads upstairs. He yells down "why didn't the heat kick on?" - I KNEW IT!! It's got to be the HVAC system!! I want to scream out the window "I KNEW IT!!" but fought the urge. Tony asks the frustrating questions again "did you guys check in the utility room b/f calling the firemen?" - Anth and me just look at each other and yell "YES!" together. So out come the space heaters - these tiny little things that are supposed to warm up over 2200 SF. *sigh* He'll have to call the repairmen in the morning.
How much is that going to cost???? In the meantime, fire up that dang stove!
Just last week we had to remove the spouts from the outside because they were totally frozen solid. Here's some of the storm aftermath ... I 
knew the pictures would come in handy. That's going to cost a pretty penny to have replaced. UGH.... 
What a great party we had!
I finally can get around to talk about the party. What a great one it was. Considering that the party was nearly cancelled, I was very happy to have it. Our host of honor is, indeed, loved. The place was packed. The jazz trio was AWESOME - as always. I can't believe I didn't get a picture of them! As a matter of fact, I'm pretty sure I don't have one picture of them. Hmm, have to do something about that one. Back to the party; I asked the wife early on if we needed a gift table - she didn't think so - well, we did. It was great. I think that one of the reasons people really poured out to support him was because the party was almost cancelled. I'm really glad you chose to stay with us, guy! The food was great and the waitstaff was fabulous - they never let me down. The Cosmo luge was a hit - I had a Cosmo at 11:30 at night - of course, after the party - no one wanted to see me sliding around the room - very good. I have to put cosmopolitans on the top of my mixed drink list - along with the other two that are on there. That's about all I can handle.
By the way... I never got around to talking about the Sweetheart Banquet. Well I really have to give kudos to that one... it was fantastic. With cancelling and not cancelling the Cosmo party I never had a chance to check in here. Well, the food was probably the best catered I've ever had. Terry Sears made his fabulous fudge - which he then cut into hearts - a very big hit. Everyone had an awesome time - which I'm ecstatic about. I didn't get any pictures of the room after it was all set up but Whit did. This picture was taken in the middle of everything. Of course, I don't have the pics yet but when you check back (with the new web site under construction) I'll have them under "Sweetheart Banquet". Well, everyone asked if they can make reservations for next year. Sure guys but what about that soup party I'm having? All you soup people come join us with your best ever soup. Say good bye to the cabin fever for one night, bring your soup (enough for 6 people) and join us for an awesome
time. I can have soup anytime of the year but my soup parties are always a great time in the dead of winter while spring is just starting to bud and bring us beauty. Contact me if you're interested in attending - we'd love to have you. My favorite soup is cheddar - broccoli!
Cosmos anyone?
Here's what's left from the Cosmo party. I had to take a picture of it since I was soooo stressed about the cosmo luge melting. It's 2 days later and the thing is holding up!! When my new site gets released (how 'bout it Shoff?) I'll put the pictures into a showcase for you to see. Until then, I'm too proud not to show you what the space looked like.
Before:
After:
