Beth and Jeremy's Wedding Gift

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This is a general thread to discuss Beth and Jeremy's wedding gift.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2005

Answers

Several people suggested money for their trip to Mexico, but I think it's too soon for us to do anything about that. Aren't they leaving, like, tomorrow?

Here are the other suggestions thus far:

Gift card: REI Gift card: amazon.com Gift card: Home Depot Wine of the month club Tequila of the month club Cheese of the month club Gift certificate: Antique Rose Emporium Gift cert to French Laundry, a night at a B&B, and kennel fees TV Trip on the Napa Valley Wine Train Stock up their liquor cabinet A case of wine (anyone else noticing a theme here?) A wine themed gift (good glasses, wine of the month club, wine tasting dinner) Travel gift certificates eBay gift certificate

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2005


uh...sorry about the no spaces there. stupid Greenspun.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2005

Total so far: $540, along with eight people who told me they were mailing checks/money orders of unspecific amounts.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2005

Maybe something towards their TUScon; airfares and hotels and the like, with some small tangible now gifts flung in?

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2005

Wow! I'm glad the response is so good -- this is going to be great.

For the record, having done each several times, I firmly believe a gift certificate to the French Laundry to be approximately five thousand times better than a trip on the Wine Train. And I'll throw in my usual plug for my favorite B&B in that area, Scarlett's Country Inn in St. Helena.

(Why do I know so much about local presents for people who live on the other side of the country from me?)

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2005



I'm a crass person, and normally I wouldn't say this, but I kind of want them to have a big effing wad of cash. That said, I'm not so sure they wouldn't find some way to turn that back on us.

The Cancun thing assumes we do the planning for their lives--not fair.

I like the gift card ideas--a variety of them. Gah, I'm no help.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2005


Yeah, while I like the idea of a big wad of cash I kind of think they might just spend it on the board or on something practical like the mortgage. That's no fun.

I have a feeling we're going to end up with somewhere in the neighborhood of a thousand dollars. With that kind of dough we could afford a whole bunch of stuff.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2005


You know, I see nothing wrong with them throwing some cash at mortgage, bills, anything to alleviate the stress of day-to-day life.

Something doesn't have to scream special or out of the ordinary in order to be a good gift.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2005


Maybe some gifts/gift certificates and also a wad of cash? Beth mentioned in a recent entry how much she's trying to save and budget so she can quit her job, and maybe the cash would help her move along that plan a bit faster.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2005

With that kind of cash, we might be able to give them a big wad of cash *and* some nice not-wholly-practical thing for themselves. Which sounds like a win-win situation to me.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2005


That does sound like a great idea. Some frivilous (sp?) cool thing for now, and a chunk of cash for their job escape fund.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2005

I am still in favor of a certain amount of booze. Booze and cash could work, I think. A case of nice wine and a check could make a good wedding gift.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2005

tequila of the month?

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2005

Yeah, I think if we do cash, we should also do something tangible. A think a case of wine or a tequila of the month club would be a good way to go.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2005

Don't they already have tons of different tequilas? Of course, there may not be such a thing as too much tequila.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2005


Tequila could be cute because that's what Beth is blaming the wedding on. I am definitely impressed by the generosity of everyone too.

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2005

I like the REI gift card-didn't Beth mention that they were thinking of buying kayaks this year? Big wads of cash are good, too, or alcohol. Gosh, I'm not very helpful, am I?

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2005

I don't know that I like the wad of cash bit as much as the French Laundry idea. Mostly because I don't know what that means, and I am imagining men named Jacques in knit caps and bandannas around their necks coming to take away Beth and Jeremy's soiled clothes and washing them in the Alps, or something.

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2005

I suggested a new tv in my initial email to Melissa, and I'm throwing that idea out into the mix. Not that I know if they'd need or want a new tv, but if we're getting upwards of $1000, that would pay for a pretty cool tv.

This idea came to me because we received a tv for our wedding present, and I only just retired it - still working! - to the local Goodwill.

Still thinking about other possibilities...

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2005


update on money:

We now have $675, with checks of unknown amounts coming from nine other people.

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2005


Beth & Jeremy's gift

I like the idea of giving them booze and cash or gift certificates. Let them decide what to do with it. And if they use the cash to pay bills, that's actually a pretty cool present too - starting off their 'new' life significantly less in debt.

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2005

Okay, Beth just posted in the "what do you want in the NY" thread and this is what she said:

I want to pay off the rest of my debt and save enough to go into private practice and perhaps have a baby if Jeremy gets over the diaper thing.

I want a new bathroom and I need a new roof and some paint. And now that my neighbors have built a two-story garage/house combination in their back yard, I want that, too.

I want to find a way to have a big fun reception/party this spring without going broke or serving yucky food. Hmm.

So it looks like maybe a case of wine/booze (Christina had suggested sparkling wine in a PM to me) as a celebratory thing and a big pile of cash might be the way to go. Or a Home Depot gift card so they can redo the bathroom?

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2005


Do we know that they use Home Depot? I know well-meaning people have given me Home Depot gift cards, and I appreciate the thought, but I live five minutes from a Lowes and thirty minutes from a Home Depot, so I desperately wish they'd give me Lowes gift cards instead. If we go that route, let's check with Ashley and find out what would be more convenient for them.

Celebratory booze plus gift card or cash sounds pretty good to me, though, now that Beth's posted. It sounds like cash or the cash-equivalent is really going to be the appreciated thing.

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2005


I think cash would be great, especially since they will need it this spring for their reception or their bathroom or whatever. I know I would take cash over almost any other gift. And even if they do pay bills with it, that's still a worthwhile gift. But I agree about adding something like a tequila of the month club, or even a case of really good booze - something they wouldn't buy on their own, because you know they will be all practical with the money and they won't splurge with it. If we can do the splurging for them on a smaller basis and still give them cash as well, I think everyone wins.

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2005

Wedding Gift

I think cash is an excellent choice for newlyweds who have been together for a long time. I would include a message with it (in a lovely calligraphy-style note) that this money is NOT to be used for TUS, server upgrades or anything to do with her readers. I would say, though, to give them something tangible that they can have as a keepsake (no, not "Precious Moments") to remember this time in their lives. While wine and trips are nice, if we're giving them money, I think they'd also appreciate something (which doesn't have to be big) they can hold onto, that represents all the people who care about them.

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2005

Before I knew about the group gift I had been thinking about sending a few bottles from this winery: http://www.gruetwinery.com

They are local to Albuquerque, which is how I know about them, but their sparkling wines have won some pretty big competitions. I suppose one good thing about buying a case would be that they could use it for their party/ reception if they wanted.

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2005


Lynda is a champ. Look what she found, for our consideration:

http://wedding.weddingchannel.com/search_purchase/guest_view.asp?wauid=564314823

http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/registry.html/103-9158351-8142203?%5Fencoding=UTF8&id=1BVJUIP6BO1BS

Latest total: $725, plus the nine checks of unknown amounts.

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2005


Man, that Amazon.com wishlist, not including shipping (some of which should be free), TUS could buy them the whole thing for 450.93.

With some cash for the escape fund left over!

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2005


It would be sort of fun to send them everything on the wishlist! Do you think they would really like that more than the lump of cash though? If it were me, I would want the cash to pay for the wedding reception, because that is expensive!

I still do love the French Laundry idea. That was my idea. Maybe it's just because I would love to be able to do that myself! It sounds so luxurious and decadent!

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2005


I was leaning toward an REI card and some cash. Now I'm leaning toward the whole Amazon list and cash. Whatever we decide, I vote for at least a hefty wad of cash to be included.

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2005

The ideas I like best are to buy them something (or more than one something) expensive from their registry list, then give them the rest in cash. They want to throw a big party AND retire debt and a big wad of cash will help both of those goals.

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2005

We've just cleared $800; I'm expecting that the nine checks of unknown amounts put us near or over $900. And I know we're not done yet!

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2005

I know a couple who had someone buy a ton of things off their wedding registry, and it ended up being a huge pain in the ass. Other relatives wanted to buy them things too, so they had to register for a bunch of other stuff they didn't really want. In that light, I think it might be a bad idea to buy Beth and Jeremy their entire Amazon wish list.

As I think one or two other people suggested -- maybe we could buy them one really nice thing off the list and then send a check?

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2005


Okay -- I just scanned all the registries. I'd suggest we get a thing or two from their Macy's registry. They've registered for a Calphalon pan and some Henckle knives there that seem fairly nice.

What do people think? Braising pan and a check? Knives and a check? Braising pan, knives, and a check?

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2005


We are the Usual Suspects. We must give them booze of some sort, even if it's just one really good bottle of tequila. Bottle of booze, knives, and a big honking check?

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2005

Oh, I think booze, knives, and money says Suspects all the way!

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2005

booze, knives and money, since 2004, for sure!

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2005

I still really love the French Laundry suggestion. Mostly because I can't go, so I want someone else to go. I second Christina's apprehension of buying out their entire wedding registry, for exactly the same reasons (and also from first hand experience) even though the idea of doing so is very cool. I vote for French Laundry (because it's a memorable lifetime experience) and the home improvement cards (because it will be a gift that lasts).

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2005

Beth's registries

Not to tell tales out of class, but Beth private-messaged me saying thank you for taking the focus off of looking for registries. Apparently, her mom hounded her for a registry, which she set up for her family to buy from. Not that knives and booze and a bunch of money isn't totally TUS, I'm just letting you know that Beth sort of wants to keep the registries for her family to pick from.

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2005

$950 as of right now. Nine checks of indeterminate amounts coming. We're in the four digits, people!

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2005

Yeah, tempting as it is to get dishes and things, their family will probably buy them most of that stuff. I think maybe something like a case of really nice wine and then cash toward the reception would be the best thing.

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2005

I like the idea of knives, booze and money because Beth and Jeremy can decide whether to use the money for savings to help Beth get into private practice, for new toys from REI, for home improvement or to go on a bender in Cancun. And it just seems appropriate for the Suspects to give the happy couple weapons and intoxicants.

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2005

I vote for knives, booze and cash too. (I almost put 'guns and booze' - how scary would that be?)

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2005

I think I might now be in the knives, booze, and cash camp as well. I would even leave out the knives if we're avoiding the registries, but knives, booze, and cash just seem like they go together.

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2005

Booze, knives and cash works for me too; it's very Suspectlike. As long as the knives and booze are excellent -- so they will really be appreciated and used. No point in skimping since we have had such great donations.

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2005

The only problem with French Laundry would be that cash is only half the problem... getting a reservation is the other half. However, I might be able to help with that, I have a few people with ways to get them without sitting on the phone for hours. Anyway, let me know and I can try to help (this is the kind of thing we would have to work with them on once they know when they might like to go).

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2005

I'm good with the knives, booze and cash idea, too.

The French Laundry idea sounds wonderful, but it lacks portability and a predictable cost so is a little harder to work out. I suppose we could put enough of the cash amount in a separate card, with lpt's promise to help arrange it. But I really like the idea of a present and the cash. If they want to spend it on French Laundry, they can.

So has Beth caught on to this yet? I wondered if the flurry of PMing might tip her off.

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2005


Booze, knives and cash. It sounds like a song that George Thoroughgood or Warren Zevon could have written. I vote for that.

-- Anonymous, January 06, 2005

I'm back from SF, and I have an update:

Total received to date: $1397. (!!) Now, $49.66 of that is unfortunately eaten up by Paypal fees (when you Paypal from a credit card, Paypal takes something like 2.9% as a fee), but that still gives us 1347.34 to date, and we're not done yet. I am still waiting on checks from at least five people, and I'm still getting PMs about contributing. I'd like to wrap this up by this Friday, if we can. We have contributions so far from 65 people, which is awesome.

If we stick to the knives, booze and cash theory, we're going to be handing over quite a wad. This is pretty exciting.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2005


I had another idea - maybe making some sort of online card/webpage thing where we can point them once the money's finalized, so they can know and so everyone who contributed can know what we gave, etc? Or does this idea suck? Please be painfully honest.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2005

That's a significant amount of cash!

While I understand the appeal of a tangible thing to remember the gift by, picking something is hard and puts too much pressure on the purchaser as they are representing everyone who contributed. I vote for a case of good booze and an envelope full of cash.

As for the web page/e-card, I'm not against it, but I don't see that it's necessary. I'm sure B&J would like to know who contributed, but there are other ways of doing that.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2005


1. I am just now getting caught up. The frames threw me.

2. I am so proud of us!

3. Knives, booze and cash is so great.

4. Setting up a page where we can give best wishes is good. Could we write things and have them scanned / photographed? I would volunteer to accept handwritten notes and scan them to make one giant page of scanned awesomeness. If that's a good idea.

5. I am so proud of us!

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2005


I think we should have something somewhere that says all our names and our good wishes, but I don't have any strong opinions about the format of that thing.

And wow--we have collected big! Yay for us!

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2005


I should have added that I'd be happy to help with making whatever that list of names and well wishes turns out to be.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2005

That's a chunk of change, excellent!

I like the virtual cards, they're always good.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2005


Crap. Did I send you the link with frames, Emily? Sorry to anyone I did that to. These Greenspun forums are a pain. If you go here: http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/index.tcl and select the Planning A Sky forum from the link of active private forums, I'm pretty sure you get a non-frame version.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2005

Thanks, Melissa. It's all working well now. I was wondering if they had changed how they set up their forums.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2005

You get the frames if you have to log in. 2nd time around, I got the single page.

Additionally, if there was a way for the contributors to sign or otherwise personalise the card (whatever it may be), that'd be cool. I guess that would require some scanning technology for each contributor though.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2005


I guess an e-card is okay, but you know what? I also like the idea of the gift simply coming from the people who camp out in their internet living room. So much cooler and unified than an accounting list (and before anyone says anything, I know it's not an itemized total, okay?). I don't need individual credit for a gift. Not something on this scale, peoplewise.

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2005

I get what you're saying, Nita, but I still think we should somehow recognize the contributors. One reason is because some people--like Melissa!--have done so much to organize this and make it easy for us to donate and help out. I want to recognize those contributions for sure.

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2005

But those of you who have gracefully organized this are doing us (the quibblers and contributors) a favor more so than Beth & Jeremy.

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2005

A latecomer here, but I'd just like to chime in with support for the knives, booze and cash option. Very Supects-ish, and three things you can never have too much of.

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2005

Yeah, I don't need personal recognition! That is not why I did this. However, there is a part of me that does not want any smidgen of credit for this going to the three people who sent me PMs essentially accusing me of doing this because I am asskissing and/or attention seeking (no, I'm not kidding) or the handful of people I heard about through the grapevine who sent other people PMs saying that they would never give a penny to a gift for Beth and Jeremy, ever.

I know that even everyone who wants to contribute to this cannot, but I also think (and maybe I'm wrong; please correct me) that the people who did contribute did so out of affection or respect or gratitude to B&J and, frankly, I don't think it's a bad thing for B&J to know exactly who those people are. I'm not saying that if someone didn't contribute they don't feel those things...well, actually, at this point I'm not sure what I'm saying.

We need to find out exactly what kind of tequila B&J prefer. I know she mentioned something called Conquistador in a thread. There are actually a couple of varieties, so I'm not sure which one. Does anyone know exactly when they get back? We need another crafty thread where we discuss liquor brands or something so she'll 'fess up.

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2005


Wow, sometimes people suck. I'm sorry you've gotten comments like that, Melissa.

Isn't there anybody in here who hangs out with Beth? Surely someone knows the favored tequila brand?

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2005


Melissa and others, thank you so much for organizing this. I'm sorry some people have had a problem with it but, really, that's just idiotic. It was all done in a very tasteful and friendly way. I really like the direction this is going in as far as what they are getting. On the question of whether individuals should sign a card or whatever, I don't have much of an opinion. I do think it would be nice for Beth and Jeremy to know how many people were involved. The number is really impressive.

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2005

Okay, people still following this: $1512 received to date, still waiting on four checks. I know amiable's is still coming (from Canada) and I PMd the other three people to see if they ever actually sent anything so I know what I'm waiting on. I haven't gotten a Paypal contribution since Tuesday so I think we're probably at the end here; when I hear back from the three remaining people I'll know how long we have to wait.

Can someone who is not me start some kind of clever liquor related thread so we can try to figure out what kind of tequila to send B&J? Something about specific brands, maybe "What liquor do you not compromise on?" about how you'll drink any vodka, but you can only drink Knob Creek whiskey, or something. I don't want to start it just in case Beth has not in fact caught on, since I was the one who did the "what do you want in the New Year" threads.

We should be able to wrap this up in the next few days. Do we know what kind of knives we're buying? Did they register for knives? I forget.

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2005


Okay, they have two different sets of knives. They have steak knives on (I think) their Crate & Barrel registry, but I kind of think we should get them the two carving knives on their Macy's registry. With shipping, that comes to $128.93. Even if we buy a $100 bottle of tequila (or $100 worth of tequila, I never buy expensive tequila), and considering the Paypal fees, we should still be able to give them over $1200 in cash. Yay!

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2005

Beth's most recent entry (honeymoon, part v) goes into detail about what tequilas they like. How handy!

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2005

They seem to like El Conquistador. It's available on-line through this place. a /case/ is 400 dollars, exact price depending on which one. I haven't tried to find it locally--anyone else?

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2005

on the other hand, it seems as if they've worked hard in pv to find that for themselves.

how about a case of White Star champagne?

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2005


Do they like champagne?

That internet liquor store that has the two kinds of tequila they like also has gift certificates. Maybe we should give them one?

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2005


Liquor gift certificate - good idea

i vote for the two knives mentioned above, a gift certificate to the booze store, and cash.

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2005

I think we should get them the actual physical booze rather than a certificate, if we're going to give them alcohol at all. They will already have the big wad of cash to spend at will.

They've got the tequila covered, so let's get them some really good champagne. They will be toasting and being toasted by family etc.. What about champagne flutes? Anyone know what sort of stemware they own?

Champagne, knives and cash. Sounds great to me.

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2005


I may have my conversations and participants confused, but I remember them saying something along the lines of glassware being a pain in the ass to dust, and absolutely requiring dusting.

There may have been a demonstration.

I may also be confusing Beth & Jeremy with a conversation with another household on my trip.

I'm all for providing actual champagne, knives to use while drunk, and letting them sort out the stemware for themselves.

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2005


But does anyone actually know if they like champagne? A lot of people don't, and if you don't like it, it's not a great gift. I think we need a clandestine wine thread, encompassing sparkling and not. I'm still waiting on checks, including one from the UK, so we've got time to figure this out.

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2005

Okay, I'm cutting off the checks. I got two more requests to mail checks today, which I said okay to, but this could drag on indefinitely and I really don't want that. Neilo's was the last check I said yes to, and as it's coming from Ireland, it'll be a little bit. Anyone's check that arrives after Neilo's will be returned to them. Theoretically I'm still waiting for four, three of which I know are definitely on the way; two of those are coming from the UK.

And then we're done. Finished. Kaput! We are wrapping this up. I figure we have at least another week to decide what sort of booze we are giving.

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2005


You are all kicking so much ass on this project. I am just so, so impressed.

-- Anonymous, January 17, 2005

I haven't added anything to this thread, mostly because I have nothing new to add and also because I'm not sure how replying works because I'm dumb. I think the alcohol and cash idea is awesome. I was thinking tequila, but it does look like they got what they really wanted in Mexico, and I'm not sure what their wine preferences are.

-- Anonymous, January 17, 2005

I think the gift certificate is a great idea, because it leaves them completely free to choose but requires them to buy quality alcohol (that site doesn't seem to have any crappy stuff, not that I'm an expert or anything). And who wouldn't love a present like that?

So: wines & spirits gift certificate, knives, and cash. That's my vote.

-- Anonymous, January 17, 2005


I just remembered about this thread and thought I would check in to see what we had all decided. I am totally overwhelmed by the total Melissa mentioned. Everyone has been so awesome about this and I think Beth and Jeremy are really going to love it (and hopefully be surprised if no one has given it away).

I am ok with a gift certificate for liquor - that way they could spend it on stuff for their party if they wanted, or splurge on the really good tequila if they run out of it. And then the knives and cash.

Melissa and the rest of you who worked to organize this and got people involved: Thank you so much!!

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2005


New total: $1687 from 76 donors before the Paypal fees are removed. After, $1632.68. I'm still waiting on five checks/money orders of unknown amounts; I think we're definitely going to get to $1700.

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2005

Have we settled yet on when we're revealing the gift and whether we're going to list everyone and in what format?

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2005

We can't reveal until I get all the checks; some are coming from the UK. I have no idea when they'll arrive. As far as how we're acknowledging, I have no idea either. Suggestions that are easy are welcome.

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2005

Could we just start a thread that lists the names of everybody? I mean, I'd be glad to put up a list on my site, or help put up a list on someone else's site, but god forbid any of us look like we're kissing extra ass. It seems like a thread on the board would be easy and fast and bring less drama. Or a sort of permanent page on the board, like the interview or TUScon pages--but I don't know if any moderators are able to make separate pages--is only Beth able to do that?

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2005

For least possible drama, what if we just sent the stuff - cash & certificate - with a big card that had all of our names and maybe email addresses listed on it. Then they would know who all contributed but we wouldn't have to make a big deal about it on the board. I don't need everyone to know that I chipped in, but I'd like Beth and Jeremy to know that I had a part in it.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2005

That's a good idea, Harmony.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2005

Card

I like the idea of a card with our email addresses. It's less public and therefore less likely to generate drama, I would imagine.

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2005

I like the card with names/email addresses also. I think the thread might generate discussion not in the spirit of the pressie.

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2005

I agree. Not on the board.

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2005

Okay people, in consultation with a couple of people who know B&J well I have just made the following executive decisions:

1. knives ordered and sent just now. Total including shipping and gift box: $128.93

2. six month wine-of-the-month subscription (two bottles) from K&L Wines (an amazing store in San Fran) prepaid for just now, to begin in February and run through July. Total including tax and UPS shipping: $161.46

3. Cash left in reserves, which (after cost of card) will be mailed out in check form by me either tomorrow or Monday: $1436.55

I am still waiting on two checks, but if I don't get them by Monday I am going to have to do this without them. I have received the checks from the UK and Ireland that I was waiting on, so if US checks can't reach me by Monday then I'm going to mail them back when they do arrive. This cannot drag on forever; we have been in process now for three weeks. So if they arrive or Paypal money comes in still there will be a new total. If we get very close to $1500 I will probably toss in a little more money to make it a nice round number, but right now we're a little ways off from that.

I will buy a card and write everyone's user names in it. I am sure B&J will want to thank everyone by email or something. I'll try to collect email addresses in a list.

Thanks for participating, and I hope all of this is cool with everyone.

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2005


I think those are excellent decisions! Thanks for doing all of this, Melissa.

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2005

Yes, brava Melissa! And big thanks also to the other folks who sent PMs and gave suggestions and got people involved. I think this might be the biggest group gift I have ever been involved in, and it was nice to see it happen so smoothly with such enthusiastic effort! You guys rock!

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2005

Excellent decisions, all. Thanks to Melissa and everyone who worked behind the scenes, for pulling it off without a hitch.

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2005

It all sounds great, Melissa. Thanks! I hope Beth writes up reviews of their wines every month.

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2005

Okay, I got what I think is the final check today, and I believe the cash total is now $1475.90. That's a bit much extra for us to be throwing in ourselves. A couple of people had asked about pitching in a bit more if needed, so if anyone else is hot to get to a nice even $1500 and wanted to Paypal over an extra $5 or something, that would be just fine. And if not, $1475 certainly doesn't suck. The check and card will go out in Monday's mail.

(Damn, that's a nice wedding gift! We all rock!)

-- Anonymous, January 22, 2005


Okay, I re-did my math just to check and someone chipped in some extra and we are now at $1484.96.

-- Anonymous, January 22, 2005

That's it! We made it. $1500. Don't put anymore in!

-- Anonymous, January 22, 2005

Well done Melissa, that's a fucking fabulous gift!

I'm looking forwards to their reaction now, that's going to be fun.

-- Anonymous, January 22, 2005


Ah, I've not been back here in a while but Beth's comment about the wine club sent me back to see what was up. Great executive decision making, Melissa. This is great.

-- Anonymous, January 22, 2005

Like Jill, the wine thread reminded me that this here discussion was still going on. Melissa, fantastic choices. Thanks so much for putting all this together!

I too am tickled by what a nice group gift this is.

-- Anonymous, January 22, 2005


I am tickled that Beth is so pleased with the wine. Oh, girlfriend, you ain't seen nothing yet.

-- Anonymous, January 22, 2005

They told me they would hold the notification for a week and they totally did not, but she seems so happy that I do not care. I cannot fucking wait for her to get this card.

Also, I received a donation I did not expect, so we are up to $1525. Que sera sera!

-- Anonymous, January 22, 2005


Response

That is just so awesome. Melissa, thanks so much for doing all of this.

-- Anonymous, January 22, 2005

Okay, two more last minute donations appear to have brought us to about $1569.

I can't decide whether to throw in the dollar or leave it at that!

-- Anonymous, January 23, 2005


Good catch yesterday, Melissa! If you hadn't said anything, Beth might have felt she had to say full thank-yous three times.

-- Anonymous, January 23, 2005

Some more last minute money brought the total up to something like $1589, so I threw in the extra $11 and have just written out a check for $1600. Woo! It goes in the mail tomorrow, and that, my co-conspirators, is that!

-- Anonymous, January 23, 2005

Thanks so much for everything you've done, Melissa!!!

-- Anonymous, January 24, 2005

Thanks, Melissa, and everyone else who did any of the hard work like thinking. Beth seems truly touched.

-- Anonymous, January 31, 2005

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