We have very generous family and friends

Ralph and I came home to lots of gifts that we had such a great time opening. It was like Christmas all over again.

All the packaging, though, it is alot. I actually kept all the tissue paper. And those falling over EMPTY boxes... they once had our everyday china in them, which I love and Ralph doesn't hate by the way. I already gave away some of these very sturdy boxes to some brides to use as their cardboxes. So we are trying to reduce waste where we can and help some brides out along the way.




Ralph ever so conveniently left for 3 weeks and so I am putting away all our new stuff by my lonesome. So far, I have to tell you, having a programmable coffee pot and a blender ROCK!

Last Friday, M-Lee got that aforementioned blender going and made some kicking pina coladas. Afterwards, we went to a great dance party at our yoga studio. The party called for costumes and so we obliged:

Ok, back to gifts... not everything is so completely new to us so we do have some older stuff that we can now retire. The good news is that we have several needy friends that could use our stuff. Whatever they don't need, we are donating to our local Labrador Retriever Rescue group's yard sale. I am glad that our stuff, largely from my first apartment (12 year old towels!) and family leftovers, will be benefiting others.

Just the begining of our retirement pile

We are very grateful for everything and everyone.

I can be slow...

at making decisions, especially when it comes to purchasing things. The fiance and I are polar opposite in this regard. I take time, read customer reviews, find the best price, and ultimately determine if I really want it. Ralph on the other hand, decides he needs it and immediately goes out and buys it. He isn't happy if he doesn't get it the same day.

You can see that my approach to purchasing things doesn't bode well for registering for gifts. I am just thankful that our registry allows us to update stuff online. Lets just say that I have been altering things here and there as I have done some research and read customer reviews. No one needs to buy us $100 item that is piece of crap and will work for only a few years. It is the kitchen appliances and such that I am being such a discerning shopper - like the toaster oven, select pots, hand mixer, and blender. I suppose that is why we already have some of "the good stuff" already in our kitchen - you know, stuff that should last a lifetime:

KitchenAid Stand Mixer - check (thanks Aunt Diane),

an assortment of Le Creuset things - check (thanks Mom/Me),

a breadmaker (used almost exclusively for my focaccia dough) - check

Great Cutco knives - check (again Mom).

An assortment of other gadgets that I love

And even some of my other "good stuff" got left behind in my move to California. So, yes, I am a kitchen equipment snob - remember I did say that I have been waiting years to register! It just means that I need to do my homework about what I (er, we) need. And since what my picky little self's likes and needs aren't always at my registry store, I decided to open another one. A place: that hooks up to lots of other stores and therefore has a great selection, that has pretty awesome prices, and free shipping over a $25 purchase. Yes, that place would be the great and wonderful, Amazon.com!

How many places did you register at? And did you have a hard time picking out your potential booty?

Decisions, decisions, decisions...

I would not call me a high strung person. In fact, many of my past roommies have ventured to call me pretty darn easy going. I would say that some of this results in my uncanny ability of being undecisive. Yes you read that right, not indecisive, but UNdecisive.

Truly awesome definitions from Merriam Webster online:

• in·de·ci·sive - not decisive

• de·ci·sive - having the power or quality of deciding

See I have the power to decide, I just don't want to - hence my new word. As I say this, I need to add in that I am not like this for everything, just for what I consider less important stuff. For important stuff (i.e shoes, fragrance, orange juice brands...etc) I am very opinionated and am not afraid to make a decision. I just feel that it if I was like this for everything, I would (a) not be a fun friend/companion/roommie, and (b) be exhausted.

Case in point, the wedding registry. Now, I have been so excited to register for YEARS. All the china, all the beautiful LeCrueset pans, all the good stuff that should last in our home forever. Like most fiances, mine could really care less. Even the one thing he does want - an iron!- he made me chose. Too many decisions!!! The one with the 10 settings and steam or the one with 5 settings and retractable cord - I don't know, its an iron!

I thought he might even care about the things that we will use on a daily basis, like everyday plates. Nope. I pointed out some plates that, well, just aren't our style. Just to mess with him...

Mikasa Damask Copper China at Macy's

His response - "sure, it is fine". It was like this the whole time. The only opinion I got was for the the champagne flutes I picked out, and the red wine glasses that he found...

Vera Wang Lace Bouquet Champagne Flute

Marquis by Waterford Vintage Deep Red Wine Goblets

I suppose I can't complain too much, as he did come with me and didn't complain. I just missed having my partner in crime. See, he also suffers from bouts of undecisivity. When you multiply that by two, at least you get some decisions done.

We ended the registry setup a tad early. My "excuse" was that it was for him. But, looking back on it, it was more for me. It was exhausting... coffee pot with grinder, thermal carafe, or thermal plate; blender with food processor attachment or separate blender and food processor; all matching china or mix and match? Yeah it was a bit much for someone like me, who is not only undecisive, but often takes a long time to make a decision when I actually feel the need to. But that is the subject of another post.

Did you have a hard time creating your registry? Did you fiance help and actually have an opinion?