making a wedding cake of towels

Read from bottom up

Wedding towel cake with base, all done.















Attach decorative greenery and artificial flowers using pins and tucking flowers into folds.
















Tape bathmat to top of a pizza box using clear tape.














Flowers added to each "layer"















wind washcloths and secure with pins
















wind hand towels next and secure with pins. Tape the poufs to the top of the paper towel holder.
















wind bath towels around base of paper towel holder and secure with hat pins.

to assemble a towel cake you will need 2 bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths, plus a bath mat and 2 shower poufs. You will also need a wooden or stainless steel paper towel holder with a base, to give it stability. Lastly, you will need a package of hat pins, or sometimes called corsage pins - ones with a pearl head. You'll also need clear scotch tape.

This usually looks best in white, though it can be done in specific colors to match the bride's decor. I find it best to get the towels from the bride's registry and get the pins from a craft store like Michaels or AC Moore in the wedding aisle. The flowers can also be purchased there, and it's a nice touch to find out the bride's favorite flower, or match what's in her bouquet. Fold all the towels into thirds lengthwise, then double over.

news from Andrea... sorry it's been so long.

Well this has been a day...
from hell. My mom called at 8 this morning to tell me Grammy wasn't doing well. She did say she would update me, but at my break at 11:30 I called her to see how Grammy was doing, only to be told that my great uncle Brad had a heart attack and died after having an angiogram yesterday. Rob came to get me, and we went to say our goodbyes. Very sad, as I really had not had the chance to see him too much since we got back from our honeymoon....After that, we went to the nursing home to break the news to Bumpa, my grandfather, Brad's brother. He took it well, all things considered. After that, we went up to see Grammy and see how she was doing. We stayed for about an hour, while she slept. She was on oxygen and was very congested, but seemed comfortable. We didn't wake her, as rest was so very important with everything else her 93 year old body is challenged with. Rob and I took Mom out to dinner, as my dad is at a work conference in CA, my uncle (mom's brother) is on vacation in TX, and aunt Cindy (dad's sister) was in Maine. We enjoyed a nice dinner, Mom got a margarita, and said she was going back to the nursing home. While talking to Eddie telling him about uncle Brad, my mom beeped in and said that Grammy had just died. To say I am in shock is putting it mildly. We all feel like we're in a bad episode of the Twlight Zone. To lose two members of my family in one day is surreal... but they are both at peace... so I am trying to focus on that. Lots of irony... the same funeral home is taking care of both my uncle and my grandmother... but on different days. Having to call family and break this news was very hard, of course. I am, however, glad that my cousins heard it from me. When I called in to work to tell them about my bereavement time needed, they were very nice, expressing sympathy for my uncle's passing. When I told them about Grammy dying this evening...there was stunned silence... "wait a minute... what?" was pretty much the reaction I had all day. We are currently working on getting Dad back from CA... and trying to get in touch with my uncle in TX. Thank God for Rob.. he hs been so wonderful and such a pillar of support, even though he is in as much shock as I, and mom, both are. So I am going to have one more large glass of wine, and go to bed. That's all the news from here. Please God, let that be all the news. I'm up to the brim with shocking news.

I went on to write this eulogy for my grandmother...

Once upon a time there was a beautiful redhead with grey eyes as deep as the ocean. She grew up into a lovely young lady, and made wonderful memories, like Christmas trees that Santa would bring on Christmas Eve, with real candles, and hand carved figurines sliding around a snow slope that circled the tree. She thought she could fly, in those early days, roller skating down steep hills with her braids streaming behind her. She was surrounded by her parents and her siblings, tall hearty boys who watched over her and a beautiful sister with whom she would go to dances.

And one day, as many girls have done over the centuries, the princess met a prince. He was a tall, handsome Irish man with salt and pepper hair who worked in the shipyards. One can only imagine that he took one look in those gray eyes and his heart was lost. Now while the details of that meeting are vague, one thing is for sure, that theirs was a love for the ages. Pictures were taken of this couple, he resplendent in a tuxedo, she his glamorous counterpart in a flowing ball gown. We know that he courted her with flowers, and cards, and soon thereafter asked her to be his bride. He waded through waist deep snow to attend their engagement party, which set the stage for how their life together would be. It didnt matter what obstacles were put in his way, if she was at the end of that obstacle, he would brave whatever it took to get to her. She was accepted into his life and into his family, gaining yet another sister. On a hot July day, the gray eyed woman became his wife, standing before him in a flowing white satin dress, with all their families there around them.

And so their fairytale continued as they ascended to the roles of king and queen. In time, there was a son, followed by a daughter. They built a house together, and their family grew to include many friends and neighbors. All were welcome in this kingdom they created. There were celebrations, and holidays, with the house brimming over with laughter and love, and delicious food and drink always in abundance. This gray eyed beauty was, some felt, somewhat of a conjurer, and the holidays were when she was at the top of her craft. Summoning her magic powers, she created elixirs of Delmonicos. She weaved stories around tea sets, and set her teak tables with square plates to pass on her magical meals and desserts. In the summer, there was always a yard full of people, drawn to the life force of both of these people. The son and daughter grew up basked in their love and tender care. Soon, the king and queen were not just parents, but elevated to the true throne of being grandparents. And thats when their magicalpowers reached a true zenith. In due time, their kingdom surrounded them grandchildren who knew, quite early, that this was a magical place full of the riches that only a king and queen could have. Jewels of M&Ms waited in corners of this palace they created. Wood carvings of ships set sail to nursery tales full of magical voices. Idyllic days passed, as their yard became even more of a place of dreams, where time did not matter for these grandchildren of the king and queen.

As time went by, a fire red sunset appeared on the horizon, and the king grew ill. The queen was bereft, for she felt that the kingdom truly could not sustain its magic without both of their powers. And so, the king left his kingdom one day, and separated from his bride, his wife, his queen. The queen, in her most regal act thus far, maintained the illusion of harmony in the kingdom, but her heart was with her king. She always smiled bravely and remained lovely and kind, especially when the doting grandchildren came to her kingdom, bringing new subjects before the throne for her blessings. She blessed the new arrivals, and they all felt a special part of the kingdom that she and the king had created. Two of the doting grandchildren brought her great-grandchildren. On watching her hold these precious babies, one could easily understand how a great artist would be so moved as to create apriceless work of art, or a composer to create a symphony. Watching her with all these children young and old, there was the belief that anyone could have the kingdom she and the king had created.

The queen grew older, but never lost the sparkle in her eyes, even when she decided to leave the kingdom for a smaller palace. She surrounded herself with the memories of that glorious castle and was contented with smaller, but no less fine, luxurious treats. The kingdoms finest athletes competed for her and she shared in the glory of their victory, celebrating their triumph with red strawberries to accompany their red socks and apparel. Many fine caring staff were called to her side to minister to her, to keep her well. They were accepted with gentle caresses, as if they were her own family. They were given the gift of her magical elixir butterscotches, and more importantly, her love and laughter.

She stayed in her earthly kingdom as long as she felt she must stay, but could be seen to have a faraway look in her eyes in her last days, which many of her subjects felt must be her king calling her. And one day, he did just that, calling her back to the kingdom they created together. Who could deny her accepting the love that the great king had for his only queen? What a celebration on that day, where her king met her with open arms for the dance he had waited so patiently to have with her. And dance they did, and remain doing to this day. In the great sadness forthose who she left behind, all knew that a true kingdom, while a fairytale to many, does happen in ones hearts and minds, to those who truly believe in magic.

SO here's some updates

I know I have been neglectful of you, and I am sorry. For quite a while I did not have Internet connection at home thus I could only log on at work and there's some new security concerns that bascially do not allow for blogging on company time. Thus the quick little updates whenever I could get a moment. But we're back online at home. Which leads me to the first item. The "we" in the previous sentence is not Eddie and myself. Eddie has moved out, back up to his mom's and Rob has moved in. All in preparation for the upcoming wedding of the year. :) I know they say it's just a piece of paper, but it's like we're already married. Being in a relationship teaches you so much - and not about the other person. But this should not be news to anyone. How do I feel about Eddie moving out? To be honest it's rather bittersweet. Eddie and I have been friends for over 26 years. We've been through it all. I am sad that this chapter in my life is ending, but excited about turning the page to the next chapter. When you've known someone for so long, you get used to eachother... habits, idiosyncrasies, humor and so forth. To learn to adapt to a newer person's own unique quirks gives you the chance to look at the quirks of your own.
Work has been challenging to say the least. I'm coming up to my three year anniversary and am convinced that I have really found a niche but getting on top of that niche has proved to have had a few bumps in the road. My company likes to change up the regulations by which the basics are acheived, and it's always interesting trying to keep up. More on that later.... I am not at work, so I realy don't want to wax on and on about it. So there. :)
Aunt Sally's passing has proved to be just the beginning. I found out last week that her brother John passed away, and her brother Ed is not well. And then there is Grammy. That's a whole other blog entry. She is declining so much and so fast, yet so slow. Does that make sense? Yet she is still the sweetest person that I know. Basically without my mother's consent, the nursing home put her on Fosomax, which is to prevent osteoporosis. Hello people she's 93... it's already happened! (This was a newsflash?) The important thing with this med is that you have to sit or stand for 60 minutes, and take it with 8 ounces of water. Grammy not so much. She took it with sips of water and then would lay down. And you guessed it - erosions in the throat so bad she couldn't even swallow water. Joy. So my 93 year old grandmother had to undergo a barium swallow which was inconclusive as no one told us that she has to stand for 30 minutes for part of the test. And Grammy cannot do that. So no more tests. That's what we have decided. The phrase is palliative care, which means keep her comfortable and out of pain but no new drugs, no invasive tests, no feeding tubes, and give her back some of her dignity.
Those of you who read this blog are well aware of the wedding updates posted separately so I will not duplicate my efforts on that part.
So there you have it - a brief glimpse into the update which is my life at the moment. More to follow, not that I am back on the information superhighway. :)
Peace out.

I know it's been a while....

Great quote of the day

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming"WOO HOO, What a Ride!"

Conversations with an uncle....

OK to set this story up I was asked to handle the estate sale of my great aunt, by my uncle. Those of you who know me know that this is a really large project, but Rob and I were asked and, well, we really did not feel that saying no was in our best interest. As they say the road to hell is paved with good intentions. The chain of emails below have been edited to remove personal information, but remain intact otherwise.

It all started with this last week:
Afternoon all. Attached is the one page document I am posting at work for the Estate Sale, happening next Saturday the 25th in Wellesley. Feel free to post copies to generate interest. I will also be posting this notice on Craig's List next week - too early and it gets lost. :) May do a Boston Globe notice as well, dependant on price of course. I will be going to Wellesley this weekend (Saturday the 18th) to get everything ready. Anyone who is free Saturday who would like to lend a hand, I will gladly accept it. :) ~Love Andrea

Unk replies:
Andrea OK - The Auction House took far, far, more than I ever thought they would -- I attach the two auction Inventory files. Yes they took the rugs. The Auction is Monday 24 April in Methuen. The French provincial twin twin bed set (whole set) in S's bedroom is still there - as is the two living room love seats - give em away if you have to. Good job on the flyer - you will have early-birds - you need to get there early - Do you plan to hold the "estate" sale inside only or inside/outside? Auctioneer says that you will probably get some customers simply because it is an "estate" sale in "Wellesley". Are you planning local street signage? Advertise, advertise, advertise - I have gotten a call from and talked to P (across the street) - They are very interested in buying the house - I did give them the yard sale date - so you may see them for another purpose (they want to look around the inside) -There may well be others (curious neighbors) who want to do the same - My feeling is that this is OK as long as one of us escorts them. Re: talking about the house during the yard sale ... my feeling is ... ok if you have to ... what you see is what you get, good points and bad ... KISS ... don't talk about price ... listing will happen when court papers are complete ... take names and numbers and we will call at listing time. I sincerely hope to be able to list in very early April. UNK

My comments:
Hi UNK! Thanks for the list WOW they did take a lot of stuff! Of course I am expecting early birds which is why I am planning to be there all day tomorrow to be ready....that way next Saturday all will be set to roll so we do not turn away paying customers. :) I will be doing limited local street signs complete with arrows directing the way given the cul de sac and being off "the main drag". I will claim ignorance with regards to house price, as I am truly not in the know, and that could be a good thing. :) I will of course have a sheet to take interested names and numbers for your perusal. Are you planning to be there yourself on 25 March? I also plan to bring lots of ones and change, people want deals at these things, and we want the stuff to go. Love Niece PS Happy St. Patrick's Day! :)

Unk's comments:
Andrea Happy St. Patricks day to you also ...OK on being there tomorrow, the 18th; I will not be. Regard to the 25th we probably will probably drop in for a short time anyway. Ones and change is good ... anything over $0.01 may be a profit we shouldn't pass up. BTW - the wicker furniture (2 chairs and 2 tables) was ours - we consider it trash - since most of the chairs are gone you can use them or sell them - whatever - I do not know how you plan to set up the sales area but if you could "contain" traffic to the living room dining room and porch/garage it may make life a little easier for you. This would mean moving items from the den / front bed-room (back bed-room is empty) into the living room. The den items are light-weight and easy and perhaps you could take one of the white bed-room dressers and use it to "block" the hallway entrance while putting a sign on it saying that an entire two-twin set is available for viewing if someone asks. Just an idea .....When it is all over .... the trash - trash should go into the garage and everything else in a pile for Bob Severino.Unk

Then I sent both my uncle and mother - the temporary guardians of the estate - this email earlier this week:
UNK and Mom - do you think this is worth it? I posted a listing on Craig's List for free.... with that and the signs going up on Saturday morning, and the family advertising, do you think we need to pay these prices to the Boston Globe??
1. Place a Print and Online ad now!Place a 4-line 7-day Market Basket Real Deal Ad for just $83. Ads over 4 LINES are charged an additional $2.90 per line per day.
2. Place an Online only ad now!Place a 2-week Market Basket listing on Boston.com for $15-$30 (depending on category). Write as many words as you like!

That simple email generated this:
Andrea I think that the responsibility of leading or managing a project includes studying the pros and cons and making the tough decisions yourself not passing them off to others. UNK

I replied:
UNK - Well allrighty then. I don't think $83.00 is worth it given what's left at the house. There. I made a decision. Just thought I would loop you in, but no worries. I made the tough executive decision. Have a wonderful evening, and I will see you on Saturday. Also, I will be bringing down my accounting of expenses mileage and time to be reimbursed for the first quarter of the year to give to you on your arrival. Andrea

So then my Dad chimed in, after reading this response:
Been thinking of what to say to Hugh. How's this sound? Its subject would be - Management 101-A.: Thought I'd add my 2 cents. There are many management styles. One of which you adhere to which I will call the John Wayne style: "I'm in charge, I'll make all the decisions, right or wrong. I don't need any input from anyone. Now, let's charge up that hill and take out that Jap machine gun nest."Another is a consensus style where we'll all sit around a table and talk it out until we all agree. This can be a good but takes time and not a good style if you're the captain of the Titanic.Another style is "I'm in charge, but I value the input of my team. I will make the final decision" This is a good one that fosters respect of all the team and makes everyone feel that they are in fact part of a team and not just a cog that is being ordered around. Not the style that fits for all situations, but does work very nicely. I believe Andrea is using this style and she should be commended for it. She is the only "kid" who has come to the plate to help with M, S and K. She should be encouraged not criticized for trying to ask for input.What do you think?

In the meanwhile my uncle responded to my reply (above my dad)
Andrea Great - I knew you could do it! You are closest to the situation and therefore the best one to make the decision. I have found over many years that it is best to - make decisions to the best of your ability and - only then - inform who-ever you need to or want to of that decision. Believe me when I say that most people in management are appreciative of every decision they do not have to make. If they do not agree with your decision then they will be the first to tell you; 99% of the time they will be silent and glad you made it. Right or wrong by the way. Snippy replies are us - UNK

At this point I had had enough.
Unk - I am well aware of management roles and leadership given my role as a mentor and senior staff member here at my FT job. I was more keeping you involved, a mistake quite frankly I will not make again. I was not passing off a tough decision, rather getting input and making an educated decision, something that a good manager does. Listen to the team and gain valuable insight and perhaps advice on how to better complete a task to the satisfaction of all concerned parties. I do this every day, I assure you. And I do not agree that there is a 99% silence rate. But that's just me. Balancing wedding planning with this estate sale and working full time has not been easy. But I did it, and will complete the task to the best of my abilities as I gave my word that I would do so. I will see you at some point on Saturday. Please also forward me contact information for Bob Severino as well as the trash guy so that I may tie up that loose end upon the completion of the estate sale. Andrea

This morning, I see this from my dad.
Andrea,Based upon your response, I really don’t think it’s necessary for me to add my 2 cents. You did it in spades! Nice job.Love,Dad


Should be an interesting Saturday, dont you think?
~A

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I hope the luck of the Irish is with you all today - and every day.

Erin Go Bragh.

Fantastic bumper stickers

Great Bumper Stickers for 2006
> >> > >> DEAR WORLD WE TRIED OUR BEST -- HALF OF AMERICA
> >> > >> BLIND FAITH IN BAD LEADERSHIP IS NOT PATRIOTISM
> >> > >> IF YOU'RE NOT OUTRAGED, YOU'RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION
> >> > >> IF YOU SUPPORTED BUSH, A YELLOW RIBBON WON'T MAKE UP FOR IT
> >> > >> SUPPORT OUR TROOPS; IMPEACH BUSH
> >> > >> AT LEAST IN VIETNAM, BUSH HAD AN EXIT STRATEGY
> >> > >> SEND THE TWINS
> >> > >> POVERTY, HEALTHCARE & HOMELESSNESS ARE MORAL ISSUES
> >> > >> REMOVE BUSH'S FEEDING TUBE
> >> > >> FRODO HAS FAILED; BUSH HAS THE RING
> >> > >> SUPPORT OUR TROOPS; BRING THEM HOME NOW!
> >> > >> BUSH LIED, AND YOU KNOW IT
> >> > >> RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISM: A THREAT ABROAD, A THREAT AT HOME
> >> > >> GOD BLESS EVERYONE (No exceptions)
> >> > >> BUSH SPENT YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY ON HIS WAR
> >> > >> Election 2004: "TIS THE TIMES PLAGUE WHEN MADMEN LEAD THE BLIND"
-- William Shakespeare (King Lear)
> >> > >> "THEY THAT CAN GIVE UP ESSENTIAL LIBERTY TO OBTAIN A LITTLE TEMPORARY SAFETY DESERVE NEITHER LIBERTY NOR SAFETY"
-- Benjamin Franklin
> >> > >> PRO AMERICA, ANTI BUSH
> >> > >> WHOM WOULD JESUS BOMB?
> >> > >> IF YOU SUPPORT BUSH'S WAR, WHY ARE YOU STILL HERE? SHUT UP AND SHIP OUT
> >> > >> FEEL SAFER NOW?
> >> > >> I'D RATHER HAVE A PRESIDENT WHO SCREWED HIS INTERN THAN ONE WHO SCREWED HIS COUNTRY
> >> > >> JESUS WAS A SOCIAL ACTIVIST LIBERAL
> >> > >> MY VALUES? FREE SPEECH. EQUALITY. LIBERTY. EDUCATION. TOLERANCE
> >> > >> IS IT 2008 YET?
> >> > >> DISSENT IS THE HIGHEST FORM OF PATRIOTISM -- Thomas Jefferson
> >> > >> DON'T BLAME ME. I VOTED AGAINST BUSH TWICE!
> >> > >> NOBODY DIED WHEN CLINTON LIED
> >> > >> *OF COURSE IT HURTS. YOU'RE GETTING SCREWED BY AN ELEPHANT
> >> > >> *ANNOY A CONSERVATIVE; THINK FOR YOURSELF
> >> > >> VISUALIZE IMPEACHMENT
> >> > >> HEY BUSH! WHERE'S BIN LADEN?
> >> > >> CORPORATE MEDIA = MASS MIND CONTROL
> >> > >> STOP MAD COWBOY DISEASE
> >> > >> GEORGE W. BUSH: MAKING TERRORISTS FASTER THAN HE CAN KILL THEM
> >> > >> WHERE ARE WE GOING? AND WHY ARE WE IN THIS HANDBASKET?
> >> > >> *KEEP YOUR THEOCRACY OFF MY DEMOCRACY
> >> > >> *DEMOCRATS ARE SEXY. WHOEVER HEARD OF A GOOD PIECE OF ELEPHANT?
> >> > >> ASPIRING CANADIAN
> >> > >> CORPORATE MEDIA: WEAPONS OF MASS DECEPTION
> >> > >> DON'T CONFUSE DYING FOR OIL WITH FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM
> >> > >> STEM CELL RESEARCH IS PRO LIFE
> >> > >> HATE, GREED, IGNORANCE: WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION
> >> > >> HONOR OUR TROOPS; DEMAND THE TRUTH
> >> > >> CLINTON - OBAMA 2008
> >> > >> REBUILD IRAQ? WHY NOT SPEND 87 BILLION ON AMERICA?
> >> > >> FACT: BUSH OIL 1999 - $19 BARREL 2005 - $70 BARREL
> >> > >> *THE LAST TIME RELIGION CONTROLLED POLITICS, PEOPLE GOT BURNED AT THE STAKE
> >> > >> I'LL GIVE UP MY CHOICE WHEN JOHN ROBERTS GETS PREGNANT
> >> > >> HOW ON EARTH CAN 59,411,287 PEOPLE BE SO DUMB?
> >> > >> TRUST ME, I NEVER TOLD A SINGLE SOUL TO VOTE FOR BUSH (Jesus)
> >> > >> "The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in times of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality." - Dante