Author Archives: Kara

Only 8 Days Left

Posted in Dilemmas, Holidays by

So there’s only eight days until Christmas so I figured I’d finally post a picture of our “Charlie Browner” Christmas tree:

I guess it’s not too shabby looking for a non-cultured tree! I’ve always bought my tree from the same people every year; they rent out a little section of Canadian Tire’s outdoor garden area and they donate proceeds of tree sales to the BC SPCA – one of my favourite charities. Kyle picked this beauty out, and I think it’s the perfect tree for our first Christmas in our new house!

Onto other things Christmas, I have four more presents to buy and then I’m done. Way to leave it until last minute, I know! I’ve just been busy with life and lack of desire to get into the Christmas spirit, but putting my tree up and listening to Christmas carols at the same time helped me get geared up to shop.

And now for the question of the day: What do you do when people tell you, “Oh, here’s your Christmas present!” when you had no real intentions of buying them a gift as well? Buy them something anyway? Buy nothing? Smile and say, “Thanks! I still have to wrap yours!” and then rush out to buy something half-ass meaningful? Help!


WTW: The Budget

Posted in Money, Wedding-Talk Wednesday by

For today’s Wedding-Talk Wednesday post, I figured I’d talk about the budget.

To be honest, we didn’t really set a budget. Sounds like a bad idea right? Well, not so much. We have a MASSIVE spreadsheet breaking down our costs, how much we’ve spent, how much we still have to spend, and who’s contributing what.

We also have a “We don’t want to spend more than $x on _____” system. For example, I didn’t want to spend more that $1,200 on photography, $1,200 on my dress (which my Mom is paying half for, Thanks Mom!), or $800 on the DJ. I got all of those UNDER my limit – Woo! We also didn’t really want to spend more than $20/person for dinner at the reception, which we got under out limit. (Roast beef buffet with all the trimmings by a FAB caterer!) We’re also going to be “classy” and have a “Toonie” bar (That’s $2 for you Americans, lol). We buy the booze and all beer and highballs are $2 each. Much cheaper than having an open bar, and easier on our guest’s wallets.

Our ceremony and reception venues are also relatively inexpensive. The ceremony location is owned by the local heritage society and the reception location is a City-owned community hall. We chose the community hall because we could have whoever we wanted to cater, and we could avoid the high-liquor costs for our guests. (Kyle and I attended a wedding where drinks were $6-$8 because the venue provided the liquor!)

How do you budget a big event? (Such as a vacation or wedding)

Ten on Tuesday

Posted in Lists, Ten on Tuesday by

1. What is your favourite kind of cheese?

Provolone picante! It’s so smelly, but we fry it up, squeeze a little lemon juice on it, and DEVOUR! It’s our little “once in a while” treat.

2. Do you prefer fudge with or without nuts?

Without! Fudge is delicious just as it is.

3. How do you feel about cats?

I love them, but I’m allergic :( And it’s not even minor allergies. I’ll sneeze non-stop, my eyes burn, I bust out in hives sometimes too. It’s awful!

4. Meg Ryan or Julia Roberts?

I’ll have to go with Julia. She’s so classy!

5. Do you wear a watch?

Only to work. My Job #1 watch is a “grown-up” watch and is a little flashy, and my Job #2 watch is a Timex so I can clock my coffee & lunch breaks.

6. What are a few of your favourite songs from the 90′s?

“Quit Playing Games” by the Backstreet Boys (Don’t laugh!) Haha, it plays on the radio at Job #2 quite often and my co-workers and I will bust out into song. Priceless moments! It helps that I loved BSB when I was young too.

7. Do you like scented candles?

I like smelling them, but I have maybe two candles in my house that I only light when there’s a blackout. I guess I’m not a candle person.

8. What do you like on your hamburger?

Mustard, ketchup, Miracle Whip, onions, lettuce, tomato, pickles.

9. How often do you cut your fingernails?

When they get too long and start to bother me. Every couple weeks or so?

10. Do you sleep in socks?

No. They’re uncomfortable under the covers.