International YorkieTalk Meet-up 2008

[MyFairLacy]

Originally Posted by LuvMySissy

Waaayyyyy better than Coldstone Creamery is Panache Chocolatier. They have the best chocolate malt in the entire world!!!!!! And great chocolate as well (the chocolate covered oreos are decadence at it's best)!!! It is a MUST on the Plaza!!!!!!!!

OMG!! I will have to go in there!!! I'm sure our babies can't go in though so I'll have to go with a group and we'll have to switch out watching the babies while we go in and shop LOL

[MyFairLacy]

Originally Posted by LuvMySissy

The blue & cream is a boy's harness..........

oooh..can't wait to see the whole things in person!!

[Sukoshi's Mom]

Well, I've tried to be very optimistic the whole way through that we'd be ok with meeting our minimums (I thought we'd be slightly under or just right there), but I've spent a lot of time with all the more "final" numbers tonight, and we're showing that we'll no longer be meeting our minimums (or even close) . We have some "extra" money to cover some of the difference from raffle sales, but I didn't really add in "extra" money anywhere along the way because I wanted to keep the registration fees as low for you guys as I could, and I thought at the time we'd have a MUCH larger turnout which would've naturally met the minimums . I know some of the difference will be taken care of with drinks, but I seriously doubt we'll drink THIS much alcohol (and if we do...we need HELP )!!! I thought about adding on extra food since I'm adamently opposed to handing the hotel "free money" (because we owe them $3,000 minimum for food and beverages, whether we consume that much or not), BUT...we'll ALSO owe additional service charges and taxes on any additional food we order, and I'm already looking at having to pay out-of-pocket for this, and I can't afford to pay any additional to cover the additional charges associated with bringing in more food. SO...unless the hotel takes pity on us (I'm going to plead the best case I can), it looks like we're going to be essentially handing over "free" money, which kills me since I was hoping to be able to make a donation to a Yorkie rescue in YT's name .

SO...I'm sure you're asking...what does this mean for YOU? Well...for now, you can BUY MORE RAFFLE TICKETS! That's the money I'll be using to pay for this extra expense (and you might win a GREAT prize) ! I'm sorry it's up to those few of us who are going to try to cover this $, but had I known we would have such a low turnout from the start, I would've charged more for the registration fees (or not had the meet-up at all ). Secondly, DRINK UP! We don't have a minimum to spend with the bartender (they've waived the minimum there and the bartender fees for us), but anything you spend will go toward the overall minimum we owe, so at least we won't be handing over any "free" money, and maybe we can still eek out a small donation to a rescue.

Thanks in advance for your help everyone!

[Sukoshi's Mom]

Originally Posted by LuvMySissy

Waaayyyyy better than Coldstone Creamery is Panache Chocolatier. They have the best chocolate malt in the entire world!!!!!! And great chocolate as well (the chocolate covered oreos are decadence at it's best)!!! It is a MUST on the Plaza!!!!!!!!

I wasn't going to say anything about this (was just going to slip them into the goodie bags), but my mom has been working very hard to gather some coupons from businesses on the Plaza to include in the goodie bags so that we have some incentive to try out the local stores. Some of them have been more generous than others, but she's going back this week to pick up coupons and such from those who've been willing to contribute, and I think (I may be wrong) that Panache is one that agreed to give a coupon . I agree Jodie - they're GREAT!

[MyFairLacy]

Originally Posted by Sukoshi's Mom

Well, I've tried to be very optimistic the whole way through that we'd be ok with meeting our minimums (I thought we'd be slightly under or just right there), but I've spent a lot of time with all the more "final" numbers tonight, and we're showing that we'll no longer be meeting our minimums (or even close) . We have some "extra" money to cover some of the difference from raffle sales, but I didn't really add in "extra" money anywhere along the way because I wanted to keep the registration fees as low for you guys as I could, and I thought at the time we'd have a MUCH larger turnout which would've naturally met the minimums . I know some of the difference will be taken care of with drinks, but I seriously doubt we'll drink THIS much alcohol (and if we do...we need HELP )!!! I thought about adding on extra food since I'm adamently opposed to handing the hotel "free money" (because we owe them $3,000 minimum for food and beverages, whether we consume that much or not), BUT...we'll ALSO owe additional service charges and taxes on any additional food we order, and I'm already looking at having to pay out-of-pocket for this, and I can't afford to pay any additional to cover the additional charges associated with bringing in more food. SO...unless the hotel takes pity on us (I'm going to plead the best case I can), it looks like we're going to be essentially handing over "free" money, which kills me since I was hoping to be able to make a donation to a Yorkie rescue in YT's name .

SO...I'm sure you're asking...what does this mean for YOU? Well...for now, you can BUY MORE RAFFLE TICKETS! That's the money I'll be using to pay for this extra expense (and you might win a GREAT prize) ! I'm sorry it's up to those few of us who are going to try to cover this $, but had I known we would have such a low turnout from the start, I would've charged more for the registration fees (or not had the meet-up at all ). Secondly, DRINK UP! We don't have a minimum to spend with the bartender (they've waived the minimum there and the bartender fees for us), but anything you spend will go toward the overall minimum we owe, so at least we won't be handing over any "free" money, and maybe we can still eek out a small donation to a rescue.

Thanks in advance for your help everyone!

Everyone should definitely buy raffle tickets as we've been fortunate to receive some GREAT prizes and the money can help offset the expense of the meetup.

Also, I don't think we'll have a problem "drinking up" huh Gayla???

[MyFairLacy]

Originally Posted by Sukoshi's Mom

I wasn't going to say anything about this (was just going to slip them into the goodie bags), but my mom has been working very hard to gather some coupons from businesses on the Plaza to include in the goodie bags so that we have some incentive to try out the local stores. Some of them have been more generous than others, but she's going back this week to pick up coupons and such from those who've been willing to contribute, and I think (I may be wrong) that Panache is one that agreed to give a coupon . I agree Jodie - they're GREAT!

WOW! That's awesome!! We love coupons

[yorkiesmiles]

Originally Posted by Sukoshi's Mom

Well, I've tried to be very optimistic the whole way through that we'd be ok with meeting our minimums (I thought we'd be slightly under or just right there), but I've spent a lot of time with all the more "final" numbers tonight, and we're showing that we'll no longer be meeting our minimums (or even close) . We have some "extra" money to cover some of the difference from raffle sales, but I didn't really add in "extra" money anywhere along the way because I wanted to keep the registration fees as low for you guys as I could, and I thought at the time we'd have a MUCH larger turnout which would've naturally met the minimums . I know some of the difference will be taken care of with drinks, but I seriously doubt we'll drink THIS much alcohol (and if we do...we need HELP )!!! I thought about adding on extra food since I'm adamently opposed to handing the hotel "free money" (because we owe them $3,000 minimum for food and beverages, whether we consume that much or not), BUT...we'll ALSO owe additional service charges and taxes on any additional food we order, and I'm already looking at having to pay out-of-pocket for this, and I can't afford to pay any additional to cover the additional charges associated with bringing in more food. SO...unless the hotel takes pity on us (I'm going to plead the best case I can), it looks like we're going to be essentially handing over "free" money, which kills me since I was hoping to be able to make a donation to a Yorkie rescue in YT's name .

SO...I'm sure you're asking...what does this mean for YOU? Well...for now, you can BUY MORE RAFFLE TICKETS! That's the money I'll be using to pay for this extra expense (and you might win a GREAT prize) ! I'm sorry it's up to those few of us who are going to try to cover this $, but had I known we would have such a low turnout from the start, I would've charged more for the registration fees (or not had the meet-up at all ). Secondly, DRINK UP! We don't have a minimum to spend with the bartender (they've waived the minimum there and the bartender fees for us), but anything you spend will go toward the overall minimum we owe, so at least we won't be handing over any "free" money, and maybe we can still eek out a small donation to a rescue.

Thanks in advance for your help everyone!

I am really saddened to hear this. I was afraid of this when so few people ended up registering. (so many last summer were positive they would come )

I'm wondering about opening the raffles up to others on YT - something like grab a bit of the meetup excitement even though you can't be there. Is it even possible and would others even support this idea ???

[labrown]

Originally Posted by yorkiesmiles

I am really saddened to hear this. I was afraid of this when so few people ended up registering. (so many last summer were positive they would come )

I'm wondering about opening the raffles up to others on YT - something like grab a bit of the meetup excitement even though you can't be there. Is it even possible and would others even support this idea ???

I know it may sound greedy, but I don't like that idea. I've got my heart set on a few of those prizes! I just bought more raffle tickets today, and may buy even more when I get there!!!

[Sunnie]

I agree.. I don't think that those who chose not to come should be able to win the prizes that are meant for the attendees. I know I made everything that I included in my raffle prizes with the attendees in mind. I tried to make them extra special as appreciation for them attending.

[yorkiesmiles]

I appreciate that feedback.

I just hate the idea of the money going to the hotel instead of the rescue group

Praying the hotel will give us a break

[LuvMyPrinceKobi]

Originally Posted by LuvMySissy

LOL - I so thought of you as I was making it. I think Price Kobi is really going to like the boy's harness also!!!!!!!!!

Yes, yes, he will! I bet his mommy will too!!!! LOL I'm starting to think I should have saved WAYYYYYY more money than I did for buying dog stuff ...OOPS! lol

[LuvMyPrinceKobi]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

If we do that can we please make it Saturday??? I'm hoping Des brings some PJs to sell (esp. boys) because Rylie has NO PJs...and I could buy some Saturday. Then they'll have PJs for the party!!

on both parts!! Des, pretty please bring some T3 jammies for your fav prince. The ones we bought when he was a puppy are in no shape for public viewing He's obviously been "bored" some nights while he had them on...they are chewed up on the collar part

Also, I agree on the PJ party because if we could buy them Saturday, that would be best

[LuvMyPrinceKobi]

Originally Posted by Sukoshi's Mom

Well, I've tried to be very optimistic the whole way through that we'd be ok with meeting our minimums (I thought we'd be slightly under or just right there), but I've spent a lot of time with all the more "final" numbers tonight, and we're showing that we'll no longer be meeting our minimums (or even close) . We have some "extra" money to cover some of the difference from raffle sales, but I didn't really add in "extra" money anywhere along the way because I wanted to keep the registration fees as low for you guys as I could, and I thought at the time we'd have a MUCH larger turnout which would've naturally met the minimums . I know some of the difference will be taken care of with drinks, but I seriously doubt we'll drink THIS much alcohol (and if we do...we need HELP )!!! I thought about adding on extra food since I'm adamently opposed to handing the hotel "free money" (because we owe them $3,000 minimum for food and beverages, whether we consume that much or not), BUT...we'll ALSO owe additional service charges and taxes on any additional food we order, and I'm already looking at having to pay out-of-pocket for this, and I can't afford to pay any additional to cover the additional charges associated with bringing in more food. SO...unless the hotel takes pity on us (I'm going to plead the best case I can), it looks like we're going to be essentially handing over "free" money, which kills me since I was hoping to be able to make a donation to a Yorkie rescue in YT's name .

SO...I'm sure you're asking...what does this mean for YOU? Well...for now, you can BUY MORE RAFFLE TICKETS! That's the money I'll be using to pay for this extra expense (and you might win a GREAT prize) ! I'm sorry it's up to those few of us who are going to try to cover this $, but had I known we would have such a low turnout from the start, I would've charged more for the registration fees (or not had the meet-up at all ). Secondly, DRINK UP! We don't have a minimum to spend with the bartender (they've waived the minimum there and the bartender fees for us), but anything you spend will go toward the overall minimum we owe, so at least we won't be handing over any "free" money, and maybe we can still eek out a small donation to a rescue.

Thanks in advance for your help everyone!

Oh, Lisa, I am sooo sorry This might sound bad, but would it be better to give us a "ballpark" of how much we need to raise to meet the minimum? I.E. "Each person buy $10 more raffle tickets" or "Per person try to spend X dollars more" to reach our goal?
I'm sure you don't want to flat-out say, we're short $___, and I understand that...but I think when people have an "idea" they can better do what you're asking. You know what I mean?

I mean, personally, I don't have a TON of money to spend on this trip (not to mention our trip will be 10 days), but I would SO much rather spend another $50 myself, than to open it up to YTers not going...I think that kind of ruins it for those who are going. Again, JMO.

[scoobiedooiscoo]

i will have to wait until i get there to see if i have enough money to buy some tickets, as it is i wont be eating except the food already paid for. but if i have any extra gas money i will gladly buy some i dont think it should be open to others eather, i am making huge sacrafices to be there because i said i would go. but if making it open to others makes it easier on you so you dont have to pay out of pocket then i say go for it! you shouldnt have to pay for broken commitments.

[urbnalbino]

Originally Posted by LuvMySissy

Here are a couple teasers.........

[

Oh they are beautiful! I cannot wait to see them!!

Rachel