Either
How do YOU prefer to say it?
E-ther cleaver
Or
Eye-ther Diver
Random posts from a writer who loves cats and coffee. An American Democratic woman with chronic illness (respiratory) who lives to read, write, and binge watch Netflix or Hulu. Married to a hot foodie who plays lots of video games. I'm not just a broken human, I'm also uniquely maladjusted but fun!
Sunday, April 3, 2016
Saturday, April 2, 2016
B is for Budget #atozchallenge
I cannot stress enough the need to have a budget in place before you do anything else.
- “Daddy will probably pay for all of it.”
- “The manners guide says the father of the groom pays for the bar tab.”
- “I have $500 saved. That should be enough.”
That is not a budget. Those are pre-conceived notions. You need to nail down an actual budget. You need to know who is paying for what, how much they are willing to spend, and when you can expect to have that money.
When you go to buy a dress, you will need money. When you book a reception hall, you will need a deposit. The cake will require a deposit, probably full payment before the wedding date. All of the major planning is going to require some form of payment, and most of them are going to want it upfront, at least in part.
Make a list of everything you’ll need for your day. Then do research on what the websites and books say you’ll need for a wedding. Once you’ve figured out what you do and don’t need, start pricing. Figure out what matters most to you.
There are people who think custom engraved invitations are an absolute must. (Check out the Wax Seals post on W day.) For other folks, a party isn’t a party unless a vat of vodka has been consumed. One girl I knew just couldn’t live without a dove release. What seems superfluous to you is someone else’s absolute essential. Budget according to your desire, not third-cousin Ellen’s or Aunt Becky’s or even Grandpop’s. They probably won’t care in five years from now. You will.
If you're curious— the cake and the bride are what guests photograph the most.
Now that you know what you want and have a general idea of costs in your wedding area, you can discuss the budget with other people. You can find out if Daddy really is going to pay for all of it, or chip in, and find out when that money will come. Armed with knowledge is the way to approach people when asking for money.
It’s also the best way to figure out how much of a wedding loan to take out from the bank, should the situation come to that. Or a way to figure out how long it will take to save up enough money for the wedding. (And it may be a factor in deciding to elope instead. Check out the post on E day.)
Be sure you have money when you go dress shopping. There is nothing worse than finding THE DRESS and not having the money. Then it vanishes. It’s heartbreaking. Avoid this pain. More about the dress and avoiding rip-offs in the next two letters (C and D).
I'll also be getting into how you can save money by using the dollar store and http://refer.orientaltrading.com/pu354
Friday, April 1, 2016
A is for Address Labels at Wedding Shows #atozchallenge
If you haven’t thought about going to bridal shows, you should. Why? Prizes and discounts! The larger the population of your area is, the bigger and better the shows will be. Most of the vendors will have entries for giveaways.
Here’s today’s insider tip: Save your hand by making address labels. The 30 to a sheet size is ideal. (Avery 8160) Use a size 8 or 10 font. Here’s what to put.
Include the name of the bride and the groom. Some vendors will ask about him (Not many, but some.) [For you same-gender couples, just put “groom” and “groom” or “bride” and “bride” or however you wish to be referred to as. My blog doesn’t discriminate, but it does use shorthand where possible!]
Use only one address. Having everything sent to one location will make your life easier in the long run.
Include your wedding date. EVERY vendor will want that. Pick a season at the very least, a month is good too. But an exact date will help tremendously, EVEN IF IT’S FAKE! Yes, you can fib here. Change the date later. Unless you’ve signed contracts or put down deposits on something, it isn’t a big deal.
Email, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter -- Some vendors will toss in extra contest entries for “likes” or “follows.” Your Pinterest board probably has loads of ideas of what you want (useful for cake decorators, florists, bridal shops, etc when they seek to please you).
Phone number – They all want it. They will call you. You will end up on calling lists. You will have signed up for those, which is the Do Not Call List work around. Consider this when you decide what number to put down.
*Your area code and 555-1212 is the number for information. A computer can’t deal with that situation and will thus be unable to reach you via autodial. A human can ask for the number from the operator. (If they reach you or not depends on if you’re listed.) So, for example, the number for information in Manhattan is (212)555-1212. You’ll have business cards from everywhere and you’ll be able to call THEM on your own terms. Or, if there’s someone you especially want a call from, you can always say, “Let me give you my other number.” *
Number of guests – If you happen to know it, or can make a guess within 25. (50 people, 75 people, 125 people...)
Name of Wedding and Reception location- After you’ve booked them and paid for it. Skip this if you don’t have it yet. You might win one!
While attending wedding shows my friends and I have won:
- A $300 tiara
- $150 off a wedding cake
- 3 free tux rentals
- A crystal vase
- A deviled egg holder plate
- A $500 spa trip
There have also been items that were “WON” – note the quotes. Come back for letter P to learn more about that.
Thursday, March 24, 2016
Political
#VoteAquaman
Survival of the prettiest? Death for all? Or survival of the fittest?
The meme implies that no leader of America is capable of compassion for the sick or elderly.
It implies that Stephen Hawking isn't worth saving. He's smart- big deal! He isn't pretty and can't lift a bucket, and therefore is without value. (Glad he lives in England.)
Babies also get to drown in this scenario.
Because I find this entire thing ridiculous, I've decided to reply with an intellectually equal answer. Aquaman, King of Atlantis. He has the ability to get sealife to bring everyone to shore. Therefore, he's qualified to rule.
#VoteAquaman
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Smash Cancer Demolition Derby style with Relay for Life
a word from my brother:
I am building a demolition derby truck for "Relay for Life" in Macungie, PA USA. I'm supporting Rachel Confer, my girlfriend, as part of her team effort (Fighting for the Future) in Relay for Life fundraising.
Donate to Fight cancer.
Any business or a group that makes a generous donation can get a logo or name on my truck for advertisement as my thank you.
(Non-Profit Donation Tax ID 13-1788491)
You can help by spreading the word!
Every dollar donated will be listed under the Joe Muhl memorial fund. (Facebook) That logo will be on the truck as well.
At Relay for Life, there will be Sharpies for signing your name/doodle on my truck in exchange for a donation!
The truck will be destroyed as I am in full battle crashing and bashing at the Buck Motorsports Park on May 28. (Link)
Thank You!
Kevin
"AKA" Hillbilly Shaker #13
Sunday, March 20, 2016
THEME - THE A TO Z OF AMERICAN WEDDING PLANNING FOR PEOPLE WHO MAKE UNDER 30K A YEAR
THE A TO Z OF AMERICAN WEDDING PLANNING FOR PEOPLE WHO MAKE UNDER 30K A YEAR
Thank you for coming to my blog today.
I decided on this topic because I feel that it is highly sharable content and because I consider myself
well versed in it
.
If you are not planning a wedding and do not know anyone who
is, I suspect you won’t be back in April. That’s okay. (Scroll down, please.)
That’s what the theme
hop is about – gauging your own interest levels.
For those who wonder what qualifies me to blog on this
topic:
- Planned my own wedding- twice (Ex-fiancé , it didn’t work out.)
- Been a Maid/Matron of Honor four times
- A bridesmaid twice
- The years of the above weddings range from 2000 to 2016
- Attended over 50 weddings in my lifetime
- I’m a MoH for a wedding coming up this September, so I’m helping to plan one RIGHT NOW
If you, or someone you know, is planning a wedding, my blog
will be a valuable resource this April.
**************
Weddings not your thing? No one from your circle at this
stage of life?
Weigh in on this topic instead!
How much tip is
expected for Carside To Go (in America
For chain restaurants (Applebee's, Red Robin, etc), Carside To Go is when a customer orders online or by phone and then
picks it up at the restaurant. A server carries the bag of food to the customer's vehicle, which is parked nearby
(often at a special Carside To Go side
door).
Had the customer gone inside to eat, a server would have to
fetch drink refills, clear plates, check on the meal, and make small talk. This
is avoided at Carside To Go.
It is more similar to a fast food drive-thru. No tip is given
at a drive-thru window (McDonald's, Burger King, etc). Food is ordered over a speaker box and then heated, bagged,
and passed to the customer via a window.
Therefore, the big differences for the server is having more time to get the order together,
and having to walk from a door to a
vehicle instead of leaning out of a window.
Is a tip expected in these cases? And, if so, what
percentage of tip is expected?
**********
Still not entertained? Maybe you can answer one of these
instead!
Product Review - Candle Impressions Flameless LED Candles
I received this as a gift on Dec 5, 2015.
The flicker option looks great. However, it drained the batteries in less than one month's time.
The color changing is fun to watch. It has a soothing, hypnotic quality. As the batteries die, fewer colors appear. Red is the last to go. The batteries finally died on March 18, 2016. A total of 104 days.
It doesn't get hot. They seem safe to use. I like it and would buy more.
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