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Jenny
July 7th, 2000, 10:33 AM
Well, I'm back!

First, I'd like to thank Heather for posting my message about delivering the earrings to El Segundo. Things were quite hectic for me that week with my wedding that weekend, so that's why I wasn't able to get on the forum to post the update myself. (The wedding was <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> fabulous<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> by the way!) :D

I wasn't able to call the HealthSouth center to check on the gift's delivery to Michelle until I got home from my honeymoon last week. The receptionist remembered me though, and she said that they had given the gift bag to Frank and as far as she knew, he had given it to Michelle. I put my address on the envelope so if I get a note from Michelle about receiving the earrings, I'll let you know!

Before heading out to El Segundo, we took several photos of the earrings, but unfortunately, something was wrong with my sister's camera, so they came out kind of blurry. The best one is of the whole gift (earrings, box, gift bag, etc.) which you can see here:
Our gift to Michelle (http://www.mscnet.com/jenny/mk/earring_gift.jpg)

I held the jewelry box up to my ear so you could get an idea of the size, but please note that (1) I think I have bigger ears than Michelle, (2) the rubies are actually quite a bit larger than the diamond stud shown in my ear even though they don't look that different in size on my screen, and (3) the rubies are <!--EZCODE BOLD START--> much much<!--EZCODE BOLD END--> more beautiful in person!!! Here's that photo:
Close-up of earrings (http://www.mscnet.com/jenny/mk/earrings.jpg)

On the tiny gift card on the bag, I think I just wrote "To Michelle, love (heart) MKF" or something like that. Then I put the full sized card (which you can see underneath the jewelry box in the first photo above) in the bag with the earrings. The cover of the card was a pretty Monet print, and inside I wrote a message (which in retrospect came out a little hokey, but I was rushed to get in my car to get to El Segundo!!) and I also wrote about the rubies.

The main text:

<!--EZCODE QUOTE START--><blockquote>Quote:<hr> Dear Michelle, . . . . . . . . . June 2000

This special gift is to you from all of your fans at the Michelle Kwan Forum. Everybody pitched in a few dollars so that we could collectively purchase ruby earrings as a token of our love and admiration. We hope you enjoy them, and we thank you for sharing your grace and beauty with the world!

Love (heart),
everyone @ MKF<hr></blockquote><!--EZCODE QUOTE END-->

What I wrote about the rubies (I put this on the blank part of the card above the main text area):

<!--EZCODE QUOTE START--><blockquote>Quote:<hr> <!--EZCODE UNDERLINE START-->Significance of the Rubies<!--EZCODE UNDERLINE END-->
- it's your birthstone
- you look fabulous in red!
- many of your past costumes have been red (Rach, Romanza)
- "Red Violin"
- set in gold in honor of your gold medal at Worlds
- Both of your 1999/2000 skating costumes were red
- to match the red cord of your necklace<hr></blockquote><!--EZCODE QUOTE END-->

I can't remember if I included the forum URL on the card anywhere, but I know I did on the front page of the book of messages, so Michelle should have no problem finding us (assuming someone finally gave her our messages!!!). I also realize now that I didn't specifically say in the note that this gift sort of went along with those messages, but being that both are from MKF and both have something to do with being in honor of Worlds, I think Michelle can figure it out! ;)

Also, here is an update about the donations for the gift:

Total number of pledges: 61
Total amount of pledges: $533

Total number of checks/money orders actually received: 51
Total amount of money actually received: $485

I used $10 to FedEx our messages, and the cost of the earrings came to $433. That means I have $42 leftover for Michelle's birthday flowers. When I talked to the lady at the HealthSouth center, she wasn't sure if Michelle was going to be there on her birthday (today!), so she strongly suggested that I have the flowers delivered on Monday instead (July 10).

I think the top two flower choices from before were a "rainbow of roses" or an assortment of tulips. Most of the links in the old flower thread don't work anymore (or they don't offer those flowers anymore) so I've had to do some more searches. With the money we have, I can send one dozen mixed roses, or a larger assortment of tulips.

Here are the roses:
RoseOnline.com (http://www.roseonline.com/roseonline/catalog/How_to_order_/Rainbow_Roses/rainbow_roses.html)
Yahoo (http://store.yahoo.com/freshflowersource/12lonstemrai.html)

And here are the tulips:
FlowerBud (http://www.flowerbud.com/browse/tulips.asp?i=55585&m=e1)
Where is says "Pick a color" select "Mixed" and click the "View" button.

I personally prefer the tulips since it'll be a bigger bouquet and they'll last longer than roses, but let me know if you think differently. I'll need to put the order in ASAP, so please post here if you feel strongly about sending certain flowers!

Hmmm.... i think that's it. It's going to take me a while to catch up with email, everything on the forum, etc -- did I miss anything major? ;)

maryada
July 7th, 2000, 12:52 PM
Hi Jenny--First let me say congratulations on your wedding and wish you a lifetime of happiness. Next--thank you---thank you---thank you, for the wonderful job you have done with Michelle's Special Project. I'm sure if the earrings were given to Frank that Michelle has them, and that is such a neat feeling, to know that they are actually in her possession.----I think the pictures were fine-unless you were a professional photographer they were bound to be 'not perfect', but I think they were wonderful, and gives us a great idea of what they actually looked like.-----I like either of the flower choices. I didn't know that one could get tulips at any time of the year. They are quite beautiful, and I love the mixed color idea of either of the bouquets. it will be so exciting to find out one of these days that she has both the messages and the earrings, or better yet to see her wearing the earrings.-----this was such a good idea, and once again I want to thank you for everything that you have done for this project. You're the best.--------Mary Ada

taf2
July 7th, 2000, 12:52 PM
Thanks, Jenny. You've done a fabulous job, and the fact that you did it while getting ready for your weding is amazing. The earrings look beautiful-are they round? I couldn't tell. Either flower arrangement is fine with me, but I prefer the mixed tulips, or maybe all red.

BTW, congratulations on your marriage-I hope your husband knows how lucky he is. Where did you go for your honeymoon?

skatingfan
July 7th, 2000, 02:04 PM
Tulip mixed.

Jenny, thank you so much for coordinating the project. The earrings look lovely, and they are of good size.

Congratulations, where did you go for your honeymoon, may we ask?

BTW, I think whoever has pledged should send in the $ to Jenny. Even though it seems we have
enough $ to cover everything. We have thought about if there is any $ left we will send that
to charity, even if it is just $20.00 to a local Ronald McDonald House or local children's hospital.

Cherie
July 7th, 2000, 02:12 PM
Thanks for the update Jenny. Reading your message was bringing tears to my eyes, but that wasn't enough, I'm listening to skate radio and they just wished Michelle a Happy Birthday and are now playing East Of Eden. Well, don't you know, I just turned into a blubbering idiot.

Congratulations on your wedding. Judging from the pictures I saw a few months ago of your dress and bridesmaids dresses, I'm sure everything was absolutely beautiful.

Jenny
July 7th, 2000, 03:21 PM
Hi Everyone, glad you all approve!

Yes, the earrings are round, in a 4-prong setting.

Looks like I might go with the Tulips...

Although it would be lovely to send a donation to charity, no one has to still send me money for the project if they don't want to. If I get any more checks, I'll be sure to send them to CMN or something (hopefully people who hadn't sent their donation to me yet went ahead and contributed to Diane's CMN project instead!), but since we do have enough $$ at this point, it's really not necessary for the last 10 people to send in their pledge. Thanks though!

Personal note:
We went to Hawaii for our honeymoon -- 3 days in Kauai and 6 in Maui. It was beautiful!! I <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> may<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> be persuaded to post some wedding pix once we get the proofs back from our photographer. ;)

AYS
July 7th, 2000, 03:50 PM
Thanks for everything jenny. The gift, the box, everything looks great. I hope she loves them. Tulips sound nice too.:)

Congratulations on your wedding!

Terri
July 7th, 2000, 04:07 PM
Tulips are great. Thanks for all your hard work and congratulations to your husband for getting such a wonderful bride.

Googoo
July 7th, 2000, 04:13 PM
JENNY congratulations on your wedding!! (Hey MK went to Hawaii on vacation once too!)
The earrings are beautiful!

Mordecai71
July 7th, 2000, 04:50 PM
It all looks great. The earrings are beautiful. Imagine seeing Michelle wear those at worlds next year! Thank you for all the work you have put into this project. My vote goes for the mixed Tulips.

Congrats on your wedding!

andycat
July 7th, 2000, 05:11 PM
Jenny:

Congratulations and I join everyone in thanking you for organizing the wonderful gifts for MK.

I agree with you about TULIPS. They're something a little unique and since the bunch will be bigger than roses I think that's the way to go, too.

A colleague of mine just showed me her honeymoon pictures from Maui and they were STUNNING. I think she stayed at the Four Seasons. I wish you and your husband a lifetime of happiness! (Hope he likes skating...lol)

skatingfan
July 7th, 2000, 05:19 PM
Jenny, WOW Hawaii,
PLEASE post some pictures for us thanks.:)

IzzyS
July 7th, 2000, 06:13 PM
Jenny, thank you so much!! I can't believe you went to all that trouble the week of your wedding!! Everything is beautiful, elegant and classy. The earrings are gorgeous--exactly what I pictured when I thought about the kind of ruby earrings that would suit Michelle. I'm going to be checking out her ears at every event next season for a first glimpse of ruby! Thank you so much, and many blessings for a wonderful, happy life with your new husband.

Jenny
July 7th, 2000, 07:30 PM
I ordered the tulips for Michelle! She'll get them on Tuesday since they don't deliver on Monday, but that's OK since it'll stretch out her birthday celebration a bit longer. ;)

They only allowed 75 characters for the gift message so I wrote:

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> July 7, 2000 ~ Dear Michelle, Happy 20th birthday from everyone at MKF!!!<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

I'll track the order to make sure it's delivered on schedule.

I'm so glad you all like the earrings (I hope Michelle likes them too!), and thanks for all the wedding well-wishes!!!!

Rene
July 7th, 2000, 09:00 PM
WOW. The earrings are totally perfect! Isn't Kauai the best? I've been there 5 times and I went there on my honeymoon too. Sigh...I wish I was there now

Rene
July 7th, 2000, 09:01 PM
Hey, what happened to my picture?????

GMAN
July 8th, 2000, 05:20 AM
Those are great Jenny!!!Congrats on your wedding!!!I think MK will love them.

Wonder if Michelle wears them at Skate America or Skate Canada etc.?That would be awesome!!

Valerie
July 8th, 2000, 03:49 PM
Congratulations on your wedding Jenny. Thanks for putting such a tremendous effort into the MKF project!

Liz D.
July 8th, 2000, 05:12 PM
Those earrings look great! I bet Michelle will love the tulips. :D

So, Jenny, you went to Hawaii? Which Island did you like better? I love Maui! (I've never been to Kauai though). Please do post your wedding pictures when you get them! :)

njcminglng
July 8th, 2000, 07:04 PM
jenny,
great job on heading this entire project for michelle. tulips sound all right to me. also, i hope you received my pledge too. i kinda sent it really late (about a month ago). anyway, congratulations on your wedding... you must be so excited!

marlana
July 9th, 2000, 08:45 AM
Thanks for letting me be a part of this and I want to also thank you for taking care of all the work. I don't care which you pick, but I guess if I had a choose it would be mixed tulips.

FlashOBlue
July 9th, 2000, 09:42 AM
You are simply wonderful for doing all you did for Michelle and us while getting ready for your wedding! WOW! Thank you so much! I'll look forward to seeing one of your wedding pictures!
Thanks again,
Shelia

Beth2000
July 9th, 2000, 05:42 PM
Jen so glad to see you back!!!! I hope you had a wonderful time on your honeymoon :) :) :) :)

I was gone for a week and missed everyone terribly. Thanks for showing the earrings. They look great. I am sure we can all persuade you to post your wedding pics :) I know I can ;) Whatever flowers you decide is fine with me. If you need more money let me know okay?

Jenny
July 10th, 2000, 08:09 AM
Thanks again everyone!

njcminglng -- I'm so sorry I forgot to email you! Yes, I received your donation. :)

Rene & Liz -- Both Kauai & Maui were so beautiful... I don't think i could decide which I liked more! I liked how Kauai was a bit more quiet & natural (not as commercial as Maui), but on the other hand, there were a lot more places to go, things to do, and good restaurants to eat at in Maui. We decided that when we go back, we want to explore another island all together, particularly the big island. But of course, I wouldn't say no to a trip back to either of the places we already visited should the opportunity arise!!! ;)

For those of you who asked for photos of my wedding, check out the topic I started in Random Chat:
Jenny's Wedding Pix (http://pub1.ezboard.com/fmichellekwanforumrandomchat.showMessage?topicID=9 34.topic)

kwanluv
July 10th, 2000, 11:13 AM
Congrats Jenny!!!!!! :)
What a wonderful honeymoon for you and your hubby!!!!

Also, thanks for all of the hard work on Michelle's project!!! It's appreciated by all of us. ;)

I can't wait to hear Michelle's reaction!!!!!!

Sharon
July 10th, 2000, 03:17 PM
I know I'm repeating everyone, but still, a BIG HEARTFELT <!--EZCODE BOLD START--> THANK YOU!<!--EZCODE BOLD END--> from me to you. You really are special and appreciated.

Icare
July 10th, 2000, 03:47 PM
Sorry guys, I usually only went to a few threads, now I discovered this thread, and MK's gift has already been sent. Sniff, I did not contribute. Well, next year, I will watch for this.

u2asian
July 11th, 2000, 05:13 AM
lovely earrings, i hope michelle loves them :)

btw, beautiful wedding pictures. who knows, the next person @ mkf to get married might be michelle! hehehehehehe :) i would love to see that wedding, i think it would be so awesome. i mean, i'd probably be like my friend at his wedding "oh yeah! i SURELY do!" :)