Isn't It Better To Have More, Than Not Enough

Michelle and I have been hired to decorate for a Bar Mitzvah in 2 weeks. We had a meeting today to get an OK on the beach centerpieces we designed and built for the kids tables and an OK on the ribbon color. I phoned the mom early in the week to schedule a meeting for today. I explained that the party is so close and plans had to be finalized in order to give Michelle and I enough time to finish the rest of the centerpieces. We got the OK on the centerpieces and the OK on the ribbon color. I was encouraged we have gotten further than we had but, when I questioned how many kids table centerpieces and how many adult table centerpieces she would need - she told me she didn't know, she would have to get back with me. She was waiting for more RSVP's. I am looking at a diagram of the room and she doesn't know where the kids are going to sit or where the adults are going to sit. It is 2 weeks before the party - Michelle and I are trying to give her ideas and she looks at us as if we are speaking a different language. We feel like we really didn't get any further today than before.

The Hustle and Bustle Of The Holiday's Begin

It's not even Halloween and I have nearly finished all my Christmas shopping. I have a crazy November coming up and wasn't sure when I would have time to shop, wrap & decorate. I shopped for Blake and Kellie (his girlfriend) first. I hope to wrap and get those in the mail around Thanksgiving.
Michelle and I have a Bat Mitzvah early November and possibly a 4 year old's birthday party. Scott and I will be house sitting round Thanksgiving so we decided to have Thanksgiving with my family on the 15th. Matt and Michelle invited us over for Thanksgiving - Yeah ..he's cooking.

Moving On Up

This is part of an e-mail I received from the Chart House today.

Not sure if you are interested but I would love to suggest your services for event planning if you would like. The deck was beautiful and beyond what we provide. If you're interested and can get me some business cards, I would be happy to include them in our banquet packages.

Not only was she impressed with myself and Michelle's decorating but, she was also impressed with Erica's photography and has already recommended her for a wedding.

No Bother

Scott has caught a nasty cold. I called him in a Z-pak yesterday. Skylar called me last night to see if I would pick her up today. I told her I couldn't because Pappy was sick and I had to take care of him. She then asked me to bring Milo over so she could take care of him while I took care of Pappy. I told her he may eat her cats. She said, she would put Milo in her bedroom. She said, it's no bother. For me to bring his food, his treats, only a couple toys and his leash. I kept telling her I would miss Milo. She said, really it's no bother and she would bring him home today. I asked her what she was going to do if he had to go to the bathroom and she asked me how I know. I told her he rings the bell, she then asked me to bring the bell. It was so cute because she wanted to help me with keeping Milo and as I kept discouraging the situation, she kept saying it's no bother.

Photos Are Up

Erica is amazing. Photos are already up from Saturday night's celebration. She really captured the evening beautifully.

Click the following link to few and purchase photos.
http://ericalynnphotography.com/clients/index.php?do=photocart&viewGallery=1026

Scott's Celebration of Life

Scott's party was a huge success. Michelle and I began our day at 6:30 am. We took all the dogs to the dog spa. Then we headed to Merritt Island to pick up chairs. Our next stop was Petals to pick up the long steam yellow roses and then t the office to cut the roses and figure out how to give then the illusion of floating in the tall cylinder vases. We were so ahead of schedule. We then headed to the Chart House to set the mood for the party.
We set the tables, chairs, chair covers, sashes, place card holders and our beautiful cylinders that when filled with water gave the illusion of the roses floating and topped them off with a floating candle. Scott's card box lid was a picture of his hands and wrist with his and his brothers Livestrong bracelet on - gotta love photo shop. The kids were given wands with ribbons that were printed with three words that described Scott. The adults were given Livestrong bracelets. The food was delicious and the key lime pie was the best I've ever had.
Each guest there has touched our lives. As I said before, this road our faith, friends and family have made this road an easier road to walk. I could have gone around the room and had pointed out what each person meant to Scott and I but, decided everyone would be bored. So I decided to go with one big thank you. Scott was so overwhelmed - I believe it is the first time I've ever seen him speechless.
Erica was so gracious with her time to photograph the event and I can't wait to see the photos. Scott and I wished that we had more one on one time with everyone. Not only was Scott and our friends touched by the celebration but, also some of those employed with the Chart House. My 6 year old niece, Kylee came up to me during the photo show and said, Aunt Dalana you married the perfect guy. Thank you Kylee - I think so too. It was pointed out to me that all the floating candles that everyones table had gone out - except the one at the table that Scott sat at. Someone walked up to me and said, they couldn't think of a better reason to have a party, we celebrate birthday's, weddings but, we never celebrate life and it was one of the best parties that she has attended. I hope our celebration makes others remember how precious life is.
Life is how you live it - Scott is proof of that.

Happy Birthday Skylar

Skylar made her first trip to Disney on her 5th Birthday. Scott and I had gotten her a annual pass and Disney dollars. She called me for days, so I could tell her about Disney.
Skylar's birthday cookies were a big hit. When we arrived to Disney, Skylar rode in the front of the monorail. We picked up our tickets, were she received her Happy Birthday button. Throughout the park, people were telling her Happy Birthday, Skylar and she would ask me how they knew it was her Birthday after a few times telling her it was the button, she would politely thank the person that wished her Happy Birthday. She wanted people in line to sing to her and of course we did. It was appropriate we were in line for Dumbo.

Skylar's big thing throughout the day was to see the Princess's. So we headed to Toon Town, where we waited in line for 75 min. to see Cinderella, Bell & Sleeping Beauty. She asked them an array of questions. She asked Belle to see her slippers and when Belle showed her, Skylar replied "your shoes do not match your dress"


After a few more rides, we headed to The Royal Table for an early dinner. I think we were all ready for a break. The food was excellent but, I was disappointed with the character dining. The characters didn't spend time at the tables like the other's at the resorts. Skylar received a cupcake and a royal dessert, where they again sang " Happy Birthday"
Good Night Sweet Princess...I hope your birthday, was everything you dreamed of..

She Truly Is My Granddaughter

Skylar and I went to pick out her Birthday cake and out of the blue she said, I really would like a pumpkin pie. I turned to her in shock and said what? She repeated she would like a pumpkin pie for her birthday.
When I was a little girl every year I would asked my mom for a pumpkin pie, instead of a birthday cake. I could not understand if people could have birthday cakes why not birthday pies. So my mom would make a cake and I would have a pie.
I went ahead and ordered Skylar's cake because we were having a small get together on Saturday but, I do intend to make her a pie for Tuesday her real birthday. I loved the idea of Keri's birthday cookies, so I will try those this year also.

Birthday Surprise

Tuesday is Skylar's birthday. I can not believe she will be 5 years old. We decided this year to take her to Disney World. I made dinner plans for all of us to have dinner at The Royal Table. I decided to have a small dinner on Saturday, so Skylar could open her gifts and have cake. I gave her a menu selection and she chose hamburgers - yeah! could she have made it any easier. Skylar did have a few specifics - we are to leave the front door unlocked, hide and when she walks in she wants us to jump out and yell "Surprise" so she will be surprised.

Vote

I hope all of you are registered to vote. I have always voted but, with Blake in the Army I am dedicated to make sure that my friends and family are registered to vote. I know I was hard on a few of you but, you registered : )

Random Things

My mom came to stay with me for a week. She always seems to exhaust me when she is here. I throw out some ideas of projects I am thinking about doing and my mom jumps up and says let's do them. Let's do what? Let's re landscape - Not only did I want to re landscape but, all the plants had to be dug up and because they had been there for years the roots were all through the bed, which made in interesting in planting the new plants. Keep in mind Dr. Cwikla is out of time so I am running back to his house every 2 hours to let his dogs out. By the time 4:00 rolled around and it was time to feed the dogs, I would shower, feed the dogs, set by the river so they could be outside for a while and then I would fall into bed. Wake up in the morning, take the dogs out, go to Dunkin Donuts to get Iced Lattes for Scott and I , come home and make coffee for my mom and then begin the next project. I think she tried to kill me, she crammed 2 months worth of projects into one week. I felt bad the week she had decided to come over I was already committed to stay at Dr. Cwikla's house but, I was glad I had a place to escape and rest. : )

Scott seems to still be making progress in his movements but, still is not where we would like him to be. I can't believe how long it takes to build back muscle. He is doing more difficult work outs at home and is looking to get some type of mini gym system to help with his improvement.

Skylar will be turning 5 on the 14th - I decided not to do a big party this year. We are going to take her to Disney - it will be her first trip. I was luck enough to get reservations at The Royal Table so she will be dining with Cinderella, Prince Charming and the Fairy God Mother.

Michelle and I have a Bat Mitzvah we are designing and setting up for on November the 8th.
Blake is leaving for training on the 8th in Louisiana, then he will be on a 72 hour notice to deploy at anytime.

My mom wants her and I to go to St. Louis to see her mom and my Aunt and I need to plan a trip to New York to see my man cub. I think Scott is in a really good place were he can travel with me.