Today I had a meeting with the event coordinator at the place who is doing the catering for our dinner at the Studebaker Museum. Debbie was incredibly helpful and I believe they will do a really good job! Here's our menu (a buffet dinner):
BEER, WINE & SOFT DRINK PACKAGE
5:30pm
Bud & Bud Lite
Copper Ridge White Zin, Merlot & Chardonnay
Includes Bartender
HORS D'OEUVRES
5:30pm
50 each Vegetable Tray & Dip
50 each Cheese & Cracker Tray
50 each Assorted Finger Sandwiches
50 each BBQ Meatballs
50 each Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
DELUXE DINNER BUFFET
6:30pm
Mixed Green Salad with Mango Chardonnay Vinaigrette
Rosemary Chicken Breast
Homestyle Roast Beef
Vegetable Lasagna
Herb Roasted Red Skin Potatoes
Rice Pilaf
Roasted Vegetable Medley
Whole Green Beans Almondine
Rolls & Butter
Coffee Station, Iced Tea & Ice Water
DESSERTS
75 Brownies & Cookies
I think it all sounds pretty good. We were going to get fish instead of the veggie lasagna, but we needed a couple of vegetarian meals, and with a buffet they don't have an easy way to do that, so I made an executive decision and went with vegetable lasagna. Why? Because I like it! And yes, it's an open bar (beer and wine only). Anyone want me to sneak them in? Now it's just a matter of getting the final count, getting the signed contract to them, and paying the balance. And we did it for less than was budgeted! That should make the powers-that-be happy.
I was up late last night because of dealing with some...unpleasantness...so I felt really tired this afternoon. I stretched out on the couch and covered up with my penguin blanket, and Sheeba hopped up and lay on my stomach. He was like a little furry furnace! I had a most excellent nap, and I feel very refreshed!
As for last night's unpleasantness, I was starting to feel like I was in a soap opera. "I loathe you, Jessica." "You'll never get away with your little scheme, Amanda." "*gasp* Derek?!" (That last one is usually when you catch your man in bed with your arch enemy.) Oh, the drama! I see that I've received no emails, and neither has Ken or Dirk. Not surprising.
You know, I'm generally a positive person, and I try to maintain that tone here. I have my feisty moments, but one of my favorite things to do is laugh, and that's a lot more fun than having someone try to turn Nutwood into "All My Children." ("All My Squirrels." "As the Possum Turns." "The Young and the Furry." Okay, I'll stop.) When I encounter someone like my troll, I feel like I've encountered an alien species. I feel like I've been slimed. I would think it would be a sad existence to have that effect on people. I don't think I'm inspirational by any means, but I know it makes me happy when I make someone laugh. Why and how is it that someone would derive happiness from the opposite, from angering people and being nasty? It's like in "Star Trek," when matter meets anti-matter. Good things do NOT ensue. Last night it was Beth and anti-Beth. I know there are no answers to my questions, and all I can do is shake my head in amazement.If I can get a little mushy here, I want to thank each of you who left a supportive comment and sent me emails. I appreciated it more than you can ever know...you guys are the best. Group hug!
Ken called a few minutes ago and asked how the meeting with the caterers went. I told him that all went well, and I had sent him the contract. He asked, "So...would you say that you've enjoyed planning this?" Uh-oh. I told him I don't know if it's something I'd want to do full-time, but it's been relatively easy. He said that for the meeting he's at (PMI), they don't have a host for next year's meeting. He proposed South Bend, and it would involve planning a 3-day meeting at a hotel. That would probably be relatively easy, too. A couple of evening receptions, a dinner, arrangements for a meeting room...the downtown Marriott does conventions all the time, so it wouldn't be anything unusual for them. What would be fun would be putting together information about things to do in South Bend. I would recommend the Studebaker Museum, the College Football Hall of Fame, and a visit to the Notre Dame campus. (Even if you don't like the school, it's a beautiful campus.) This won't be until the spring, so there's plenty of time. And it should be nice weather!
