More Options for the Wedding

So we've been talking about weddings again. Once again we come back to how much easier it would be to have a wedding in Iowa. Then we wouldn't have to worry about who can come and not knowing the locations and venders. The current thought is we'll get married in Iowa in June in a park at Sunrise followed by a breakfast of some form. Now the question comes to which park? I've been thinking about:

• River Valley - 13th Street - we did get engaged there, but there aren't any buildings other than picnic shelters.
• Memorial Park - North Ridge - has a nice new shelter with nearby bathrooms, plus the look out tower might offer interesting photo ops.
• Inis Grove - Duff Ave - shelters and bathrooms nearby, not horribly exciting
• Ledges State Park - Boone County - beautiful stone shelter, kind of far away from Ames, but we wanted to keep it small.
• Emma McCarthy Lee - off Hyland Ave - again with the shelter and bathrooms issues

It's In

I have delivered the application for The Good Life Resident Steward Position to the post office. It will be post marked on October 31. It is harder to get two applications together than just one. Next up is the Peace Corps. They have a really long application. Better get started, I guess.

Daylight SavingsTime

I completely forgot about it. So now I am up an hour early. Should I go back to bed? I don't have to be at The Gallery until 11:00. I could stand another hour of sleep. I think I'll do that.

Threadless

Threadless is great. I enjoy their T-shirts. I have gotten one for Jeff and Sara in the past. I am thinking this year, I'll get all my Christmas presents from them. Except my Mom, because I already found her something I think she'll like better. It is a tad early to be looking for presents, but I like being lesiuerly about finding gifts for people, so I don't go out in a mad scramble and get them something they really don't like. I really like this T-shirt. However, it is all sold out in a girly-medium, which is the size both Clarissa and I want. So, be a friend and go request a reprint of the shirt. Also feel free to look at their catalog and tell me which ones you like, it doesn't meen you'll get one though.

Wilma, My Dear Hurricane

It turns out that Sarah and Dave were on their Honeymoon on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico when Wilma went through. They had to abandon their luggage and go to another resort further in land (that wasn't open because it was still being repaired from a previous hurricane). Then they got shuffled around again to a school being used as a shelter. In the end they agreed to buy their own way out of the country and caught a flight to Chicago where they hung around for a day until they could get a flight into Des Moines. So they are fine minus a honeymoon and luggage. Glad you guys made it home in one piece!

And the Search Continues

I went and checked out a florist job lead: Garden on the Square. I talked with Julie, the owner, and her mom. They told me they are not looking for help. However, I did leave my resume and cover letter. So I'll check that off the list.

Mary Kay's Flowers and Gifts Staff November 2002

I'm not interested in being a florist. It was fun at Mary Kay's because they were great people and genuinely interested in seeing my skills grow. I haven't found a place like that since. Originally I assumed because I loved working at Mary Kay's Flower Shop, I would love working at all flower shops. I think Mary Kay's was an exception more than a rule. In the future, I'd rather work for a more directly horticulture business like a nursery or garden center. Now is the wrong time to be looking though. Most places higher in the spring.

But I'll call around anyway. I will call these places today:

• Fancy Plants - Montgomery Cross Rd
• Four Seasons Landscape and Garden Center - Abercorne Exte
• Hester and Zipper Lawn and garde - 3 locations: Skidaway, Mercer, President
• Savannah's Secret Garden - Ogeechee Rd
• Emerald Gardens Nursery - Ogeechee Rd
• Gene's Nursery - Whitfield

The Confederate Rose

Hibiscus mutabilis - Confederate Rose
a member of the mallow family it is absolutely beautiful. It is blooming right now in the front yard of Peacock's. The bush is probably 15 x 20 feet and just covered in blooms. The bloom is white and then turns pink and crumples into the little balls, giving the whole bush a two toned appearance.

Speaking of Peacock's, I more or less don't have a job there anymore. Business is bad and according to the law: Last hired, first fired - I was the one who got cut. I have been told to "just call each day to see if we have work for you." Well that sucks, and it is a pain to call each day, so I haven't been. However, I am not going to be bitter about it. I'm just going to move on and find a place that can actually give me hours. Jamie once again came to my aid and has given me a connection to another shop down town. I'll drop my resume off tomorrow.

Pumpkins!

We carved pumpkins on Sunday. In Iowa this would mean they would be good until Halloween. However, I am not in Iowa, I am in hot and humid Georgia. As of Thursday, our pumpkin was a mushy, moldy, fruit fly infested blob. I should have taken a picture of it before Jeff through it a way. It was fairly impressive.

(Steve has a nice group pumpkin picture as well.)

We also made tasty toasted pumpkin seeds with this improvised recipe:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees and make sure a rack is on the bottom rung
2. Wash all the goo off some pumpkins seeds then pat them dry with a towel
3. Toss Pumpkins seeds in a table spoon of vege oil and dump them on a cookie sheet greased with a dollop of vege oil. Arrange the seeds in a single layer.
4. Pop them in the oven for 6 minutes or until you can smell them toasting.
5. Take out of the oven and toss, add some seasoned salt or Cajun seasoning. Put back in the oven for another six minutes or until they look and smell toasty.

Eat tastily.

Things I am trying to think through

I am at a spot in my life where I have a lot of possible possibilities. I have lots of things I could do, however I am not sure how that will get me to where I am going. I suppose it would help to have a destination.

One of my biggest conundrums lately, has been how to deal with capitalism. I have noticed that most people live just above their means. They use credit cards to extend their income. As long as people are dirt poor to upper middle class, in America, they will spend more than they make. Everyone I know has debt in some form or another. I really dislike living pay check to pay check. I know I don't have to. I could cut expenses by

1. Getting rid of my car
2. Not eating out
3. Cooking cheaper meals
4. Not renting movies
5. Stop consuming unnecessary sweets and soda (pop to my Midwestern friends)
6. Being happy with my clothes and not buy new ones

But it is more than just not living pay check to pay check, I want to live more than financially responsible, I want to live ecologically responsibly. If I could live ideally, I would:

1. Buy only food grown in a sustainable way
2. Recycle or reuse everything
3. Use vermiculture for my organic waste
4. Use solar power to heat my water
5. Turn off the lights when I'm not using them
6. Use a combination of open windows and curtains to keep my apartment cool with out resorting to the air conditioner

But I don't do these things. Why? because they are inconvenient to my bank account, time of the day, and where I live. I have a million excuses, just like every other American.

My good friend, and former co-intern, Jamie, sent me a link to The Good Life Center in Maine. This a place where they promote active participation in the advancement of social justice, creative integration of the life of the mind, body and spirit, and deliberate choice in living responsibly and harmoniously in an increasingly complicated world. They are looking for a couple to live for a one to three years as a demonstration of how to live "the simple life". Jeff and I are going to apply. It would be wonderful to be taught how to live in a sustainable manner. I don't think I would be able to live forever as harmoniously as this center teaches, but I think I could learn and apply a lot to my life.

Ultimate Oven Fries - Recipe

I have discovered the secret to the Ultimate Oven Fries. Well, actually Cook's Illustrated worked it out and then I tried it and confirmed their claim. I will now pass it on to you.

The Ultimate Oven Fries

Ingredients:

3 russet potatoes (about 8 oz each)
5 tablespoons vegetable or peanut
oil
salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 475 degrees and make sure one of the racks is on the bottom rung.
2. Peel your russet potatoes and cut them into wedges of equal thickness. Russets are the superior potato for Oven Fries.
3. Soak the potato wedges in hot water for 10 min - the water will get very cloudy (This helps make the potatoes insides all creamy)
4. Pat the potato dry and then toss them in 1 tablespoon of oil.
5. Spread the remaining 4 tablespoons of oil on a heavy dark baking sheet. (You'll get better browning with a dark baking sheet.) Then, arrange the potato wedges on the baking sheet in a single layer.
6. Cover the baking sheet with tin foil and place it on the bottom rack of the oven for 5 minutes. (This steams the potatoes and keeps them from getting hallow in the middle)
7. Remove the foil and keep baking for 10 min or until a golden brown on bottom
8. Flip the fries over with tongs and then continue baking until they are completely golden brown, for a total of 15-20 minutes
9. Remove from oven once golden and transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. Use additional towel to blot of the extra oil. Salt and pepper to taste and eat tastily.

Wedding Schemes

I was going to post this two days ago, but the internet was being crappy.

I have a new scheme for the wedding. But before I get to that let’s recount all my other schemes, which are very much still in the running.

1. In Iowa - not tropical, too many people
2. Caribbean - expensive, requires flight, and passport
3. Hawaii - expensive, and requires flight
4. BWCA (boundry waters canoe area) - not tropical
5. Jeff’s family’s cabin in MN - not tropical and could result in a family reunion
6. Mexico - sounds cheap, requires flight, and passport
7. France - not tropical, requires flight, and passport

So here’s my latest idea: we get married at a Florida resort and then fly to a tropical honeymoon destination. It is a place people could conceivably drive too, it doesn’t require a passport, and it is still tropical. Plus, it would be convenient to fly out of Miami for the Honey Moon. With the money from my second job we could take several trips down to Florida to see some of the potential resorts for getting ceremony, which would alleviate my apprehension for planning a wedding in a place I've never been to. But who knows what we will actually do?

I think, I hope, I have another part time job

I started training for a new job today. It is just part time working at a gallery down on River Street. So far it seems easy enough. I will be the only one there most of the time. All I have to do is sell art. I can listen to what ever CDs I want... wait I don't own that many CDs. *shrug*

The gallery sells these Marco Polo necklaces and bracelets, which I sold before when I worked at the Brunier Gallery.

So far I have learned that:

1. Artist Prints - They used to be the prints the artist made while trying to work out the kinks to making a nice print. Now a days, they are just like the regular prints except for the edition number says 'AP' after it. And they cost up to three times more.
2. Giclee Printing - (pronounced zhee-clay) is a fancy-smancy way of printing that costs a lot more, but looks more like the original.

Back in Savannah

Yep, we're back. We came in around six last night. I made dinner, we ate dinner, then Jeff did the dishes and then we both fell a sleep. I slept for more than twelve hours, I think. I must have been really tired.

Now I must go to work.

Sarah and Dave's Wedding

Here are the two pictures I got from Sarah and Dave's Wedding. I spent way too much time taking pictures with the disposable camera on my reception table and not enough with my own.

The happy couple leaving the church amid rose petals.

Sarah realizing she's locked out of the car. Notice the lovely job the Groomsmen and ushers did. They used corn syrup, quilt batting, coffee filters, window paint, streamers and balloons to "decorate" the get away car.

Jacqueline and Nick's Wedding

I promised I'd get pictures up so here we go: This is Jacqueline and Nick's Wedding.

Jacqueline and Nick leaving the church. Check out her bouquet!

Jacqueline and Nick thank everyone for coming.


Who knew you could make such pretty centerpieces with twigs?

This is one of my favorite touches, they had all their parents and grandparents wedding photos displayed.

Aaron standing next to the pumpkin which held all your father's favorite beers, miller lite, bud light, PBR etc.

Me and Jacqueline and her fur cape.

Iowa

I am in Iowa! Currently, I am sitting in the Campus Library. Ah yes, now I remember what a good connection is like.



It is actually below 70 degrees here, somewhere around 55. I miss fall. Sara and I briefly visted Ledges State Park in Boone County. I wish GA had fall color.

I have been to Jacqueline's wedding. They should have had a Martha Stewart camera crew there. The whole presentation was fall perfection. It's a good thing! I have pictures, but they are on my digi cam and until I get back to Georgia, I won't be able to post them. I hope my wedding is as beautiful as Jacqueline's. I had a great time and actually wound up staying the night at the prodding of Aaron and Scott. Thanks for the place to crash, Aaron.

I have had an excellent time hanging out with Sara and Sarah. I miss having friends that know me so well. Their friendship is almost innate. Thank you Sara for letting me take over your living room and thank you Sarah for providing the lovely air matress.

***Note I don't have spell check because this computer has no word processor. So if my spelling is worse than normal, you know who to blame.