Monday!

[doglove]

Hey ladies! How are you?? I've missed you guys! How was your weekends? What's on tap for this week?

[chalupa]

Hi! Still in a bit of a funk, which I blame on being horseless. I spent a good part of the weekend grumping, LOL. And then I started a couple projects which I did not have the pieces to finish. Oh, and I think my wedding cake baker is flaking out on us, so I'm a bit stressed about finding someone else with freaking 7 weeks to go. I sent a couple "Hey, can you bail us out of a bad spot?" emails to other bakeries last night.

I picked up a new floating TV cabinet, but decided just before I mounted it to that wall that I first want to run all the cables behind the wall, so I need some wall plates to do that and it was after Home Depot Closed for the night. Poor planning on my part. Now I have the old TV stand with the TV on it, and the new floating cabinet sitting on top of the coffee table waiting for its install.

The damn new shades for my family room came in a SECOND time and were still wrong, but I didn't notice until I hung them, so I had to take them down. I gave up on that particular company (shipment #1 was damaged in transit and arrived with black smears all over the white shade, shipment #2 was 18" too short for the window so it looked like a mini skirt) and am now waiting for blinds.com to either get it right or screw up, too. I hate that every reorder/new order adds another week to this flipping project - I'd just like to replace the broken, yellowed shades that came installed on the damn picture window. It's a big window, so it's a custom order every time.

And while I was shopping online for shades, I did a bit of retail therapy (see crankiness about not having a horse above). I now have all kinds of things to have a smart home heading my way - a Harmony hub, a Ring doorbell, the August deadbolts for the exterior doors, and a couple smart outlets. Our phones and tablets are going to control just about everything in the house. If only I could find a coffee maker that would brew coffee with a click from my iPhone, I'd be set for life.

It will be much cheaper if I buy a horse and then spend my time at the barn instead of Amazon I have Wednesday afternoon off to go try a few horses at all the same barn. They're 2.5 hours away, but my trainer and I can at least ride multiple in one swoop, and they're somehow all below my budget.

[bullygirl979]

chalupa, hugs. Sorry you are in a funk. I hope you can find a baker and a horse soon!

[bullygirl979]

I'm just getting back to work today. Vacation was AMAZING! It was exactly what we needed. We spent two nights at our (former) fav hotel, which is right on the lake. Then we spent three nights at the best resort. We had a huge suite, with a fireplace. We spent four days hanging out in the heated pools & jacuzzis, going bowling, playing games, watching movies, reading by the fire and drinking wine. It was amazing and so relaxing. And, this happened!!

[chalupa]

Yay! Congrats bullygirl979!

[doglove]

chalupa, what's going on with the cake person? Ugh that sucks that they are leaving you high and dry so close to the wedding.

Congrats bullygirl979! Were you expecting that on vacation? Pretty ring!

My vacation was nice as well, I feel rested mentally and physically, although it was a lot of driving on windy roads to get to all of the hiking areas. When we arrived, we were a little bit early for foliage, but it was a cool week with crisp temperatures so everything was popping by mid to end of the week.

A closes on his house on Friday. Yay! I'm watching London this week so he's not stuck in A's chaotic townhome with moving stuff everywhere.

[chalupa]

doglove, cake person is a friend. She is a for-real baker, but her bakery used to be something she did on the side out of her home, along with an unrelated Full Time job. I asked her in April to do our cake, thought we were all set.

In May, she actually took the plunge, quit the FT job, and opened a cafe and bakery. So exciting! But she's super busy running the restaurant side, and while we did all the tasting and such, I've been asking for MONTHS how much cake we need to feed 55 people and what the cost will be. She's replied to all my emails where I sent pictures of what I want to say how pretty it was, but still hasn't answered how much we need, how much it'll cost, or whether I should run a check up to her as a deposit.

So I'm not sure if she's just slammed/forgetful now, or if it's something that she feels like she agreed to a while ago, but doesn't really want to follow through now that she has a whole business to look after, you know? And because it's a friend, everything is more complicated. I have Mike calling her this afternoon (again - trying to take the personal connection out of it) to repeat all my "how much" questions, and if he doesn't get a straight answer, we need to find someone else asap. I have a tasting with a great bakery set up for Sunday - they make DELICIOUS cakes, but since they're in my city and my venue is an hour away, I know they're going to charge us out the ass for the delivery fee. But at this point, it's better than no cake, right?

[bullygirl979]

doglove, thank you and I had no idea!! We went in to town one night for dinner, and P said he wanted to take a walk as he was so full. We walked by the beach area and he said he wanted to get pictures of the hotels lit up from the dock (we usually go out on the dock, so NBD). It was pretty chilly and I only had a light jacket on so after he took pictures, I kind of started speed walking off of the dock to get some body heat going. Oops. Lol. A few minutes later I remembered I had my winter coat in the car so I suggested we walk back and grab it. He says "let's just take a few selfies on the dock and then we can leave" so we go out again. After a few pics he kisses me, gives me a huge hug and says he loves me. I say it back and start to turn to walk off the dock and then I hear "I love you so much that" and I turn and see him on one knee, and he says "I want to be with you for the rest of my life. I love you." and I'm crying and I obviously say yes. We are both over the moon excited. He was so cute, we got back to the hotel and he starts telling all the staff and texting/facetiming people to spill the beans.

Your vacation pics look lovely. It looks like you had such a great time!

[bullygirl979]

chalupa, ugh, that is so tough. I hope either M gets some answers or she just gives you a clear answer either way.

[doglove]

Did I miss a FB announcement bullygirl979??

[doglove]

That is super frustrating chalupa, hopefully M can get some answers today. Glad you have a backup plan. Cake is the almost the most important part of the wedding!!

[bullygirl979]

doglove, not yet. I have one more friend to tell in person and she had the nerve to go OOT this past weekend Then we will announce!

[doglove]

An old creeper who was a type of contract worker that I've worked with in the past (on my education videos) that had harassed me now has an official job with the town and works upstairs. He's been trying to text me (he's blocked) and found me on instagram last week, where I blocked him there. This man is married and his wife just had a child back in August. I'm afraid I'm going to have to go to HR about this if he continues because he appears to be relentless in his pursuit.

[chalupa]

ugh doglove, I wouldn't hesitate to go to HR the first time he hints at something not work related.

[cuddlyevil]

bullygirl979 congratulations!!! I am glad you guys had a memorable trip.

chalupa, I am sorry about the funk and the cake. I hope it's all sorted soon.

My weekend was a mix of good and suck. I had to work a lot and found out the guy I have a thing for is in an LDR that he told almost no one about. And I am not supposed to know yet, so yeah.

But I got to play video games Saturday night and see an original Shakespeare manuscript, so it wasn't all bad.

[cuddlyevil]

Ugh doglove, I am sorry.

[doglove]

Oct 23, 2017 8:47:36 GMT -5 chalupa said:

ugh doglove , I wouldn't hesitate to go to HR the first time he hints at something not work related.

That's my plan, I already had to warn him months ago that I would go to HR. I think he's blocked everywhere on social media at this point, the only way he can contact me is through our work email, which is public record. Of course he never uses that avenue. 

[tiramisu]

Welcome back doglove! I'm glad you had such a good vacation. Sorry to hear about that creeper though, I remember you talking about him when it was happening before.

chalupa I hope one of the horses you're going to see on Wednesday works out! You do need horse time again. I also hope the wedding cake stuff gets sorted out soon.

bullygirl979 CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! The ring is beautiful and I love the story of how he proposed!

[doglove]

I'm sorry cuddlyevil, that is sucky.

[bullygirl979]

Oct 23, 2017 8:52:48 GMT -5 doglove said:

Oct 23, 2017 8:47:36 GMT -5 chalupa said:

ugh doglove , I wouldn't hesitate to go to HR the first time he hints at something not work related.

That's my plan, I already had to warn him months ago that I would go to HR. I think he's blocked everywhere on social media at this point, the only way he can contact me is through our work email, which is public record. Of course he never uses that avenue. 

Agree with chalupa. Do not hesitate. I'm sorry that you have to see him again.

[bullygirl979]

tiramisu, thank you He did an excellent job picking it out! And, we keep laughing about how I tried to run away from him the first time he tried to propose.

[udscoobychick]

Congrats, bullygirl979! I'm so excited for you! I wish I could see pics on my work computer. I'll have to look when I get home!
doglove, glad you had a good vacation. I hope creeper doesn't give you any trouble.
chalupa, a 10-in tier (3 layers) and a 6-in tier should be enough for 55 people. Could to 10 and 8 to be on the safe side. And if you want to save the top tier, do 10, 8, and 6. When DH's DD got married, we catered the wedding for 50 people, and I did a 10" tier and a 6" tier, and there was still some left over.
cuddlyevil, that stinks.

I had a good weekend...lots of dancing, which was good!

[chalupa]

Oct 23, 2017 9:20:14 GMT -5 udscoobychick said:

Congrats, bullygirl979 ! I'm so excited for you! I wish I could see pics on my work computer. I'll have to look when I get home!
doglove , glad you had a good vacation. I hope creeper doesn't give you any trouble.
chalupa , a 10-in tier (3 layers) and a 6-in tier should be enough for 55 people. Could to 10 and 8 to be on the safe side. And if you want to save the top tier, do 10, 8, and 6. When DH's DD got married, we catered the wedding for 50 people, and I did a 10" tier and a 6" tier, and there was still some left over.
cuddlyevil , that stinks.

I had a good weekend...lots of dancing, which was good!

Thanks! This is about what I figured, but hell - I don't even care if there are "dummy" tiers on display and a sheet in back. 

All I want is a set up like this trio: 


With whatever we designate as the "main" tier decorated like this: 


As far as cake goes, this is not complex decorating. I guess not complex as long as the baker doesn't mind tiny gingerbread house construction  SaveSave

[udscoobychick]

I think it would be tricky to do dummy tiers with the naked cake look because the styrofoam might show through. But you're right that that is not difficult decorating. And the mini gingerbread house is adorable!

ETA: Now I want to bake your cakes lol.  (TWSS?)

[chalupa]

Oct 23, 2017 9:51:36 GMT -5 udscoobychick said:

I think it would be tricky to do dummy tiers with the naked cake look because the styrofoam might show through. But you're right that that is not difficult decorating. And the mini gingerbread house is adorable!

ETA: Now I want to bake your cakes lol.  (TWSS?)

I don't really want naked cakes. I just want them set up on separate cake platters like that. 

You want to come up here and bake cake(s)? We'll be an hour closer to you rather than the city We loved baker-friend's fresh pear cake and the carrot pineapple, but f-this not getting back to me thing - the backup bakery I contacted is Prantl's. Burnt almond torte with custard filling for everyone. SaveSave

[gault]

Really happy for you, bullygirl979!
And hugs for chalupa, cuddlyevil and doglove.

The weekend was so nice. Bf and I cleaned the apartment and had a lot of time together. And I got to watch the vikings game with a friend and did some catching up.

This week is a staycation for me before the new job. Trying to calm the anxiety and enjoy it! My shingles are getting better but still so itchy.

Also, bf and I are cutting the sugar and carbs and doing keto, and we just got through the first week. I have so much more energy. It feels great. And I lost about ten pounds, which is always motivating!

[Linie]

Oct 23, 2017 8:07:10 GMT -5 bullygirl979 said:

So very beautiful! Congrats!

[bullygirl979]

gault, congrats on the new job AND the weight loss!

[idahome]

bullygirl979: congratulations!

doglove: hopefully one call to HR fixes the problem with the creeper.

gault: yay for the new job! Also, awesome work on the 10 pound loss.

I took today as PTO for various appointments. Right now I’m going into a session to learn about medical weight loss. I’m so tired of this person I’ve becom and I’m ready to make a change. Here’s hoping change happens soon.

[cuddlyevil]

I love you guys. Thanks. One of my friends is trying to get me to hang out with her in her neighborhood soon. Seems it's teeming with decent people, so we're going to go mingle and see what happens.

gault, enjoy your week off!