Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
“Aunt Kaylee can help plan it. She used to do party planning,” Josh said as he and Nate exchanged looks. “And I bet Grams would love to be a part of it.”
“It would help her stay busy, which would be good,” Nate added.
Sophia took out her phone and started to type. “Okay, I’m thinking we do this sooner rather than later. The faster we have a name for the dog park, the faster we can get marketing done.”
“I agree, we should plan it soon. How long do you think it will take to plan something?”
Nate cleared his throat. “I can talk to Uncle Brock and see when the community center is available.”
I chewed on my lower lip as I thought about what we could do. “If we could get it before Christmas, maybe we can do a holiday-themed party. People can bring their dogs dressed up in holiday clothes.”
“That would be so fun!” Mom said as Sophia nodded.
“I’ll call him as soon as we’re done,” Nate said.
Doug cleared his throat. “I think all of this sounds great. Keep me updated on the plans. I can also get the word out. Let’s finish up with the short tour; then, we need to get started while we have the weather on our side.”
The last week had been a whirlwind. Chad had covered a few walks for me since I was busy helping Sophia and Kaylee with plans for the holiday party we were planning for the community to help name the dog park.
“I can’t believe Christmas is next week!” Sophia said as she set a box of decorations down in the middle of the large gym where we were holding the party.
“Have you and Josh put up a tree yet?” I asked as I worked on decorating the large tree we had bought for the party.
“We’re going tomorrow to pick one out. What about you and Nate?”
“I have a small artificial tree for my apartment, but I’m hardly there anymore, so I haven’t even decorated. We’ve put up some of Nate’s decorations, but haven’t gotten a tree yet.”
“You should come with me and Josh tomorrow,” Sophia said as she turned and looked at me with a wide smile. “We could make it a tradition of getting our trees at the same time!”
I let out a soft laugh. “That would be fun. I don’t think Nate has anything going on, so I’ll ask him. What time are you going to be heading out?”
She shrugged. “No real set time. Probably later in the morning, I would think.”
“I’ll ask Nate, but I think it would be fun to do that together.”
“How is everything going?” Kaylee asked as she walked up to us with another box of decorations.
“Good,” I replied. “I’m almost finished with the tree and was going to work on the table decorations next.”
Kaylee nodded. “It looks like we’ve had nearly a hundred-and-fifty people RSVP.”
Sophia gasped and I was pretty sure my mouth fell open. “Are you serious?”
She smiled. “Yes! I’m so glad I told the caterer to plan for one seventy-five. We should have plenty of food.”
I slowly shook my head. “I never dreamed we would have that many people say they would come.”
Sophia clapped and did a little jump. “This is amazing!”
I hung the last ornament on the tree. The only thing left was the tree topper, which we would need one of the guys to put up.
“You know, we should make this an annual thing,” I suggested as I glanced around the large room. Round tables were set up with chairs. “If this one is successful. Maybe we can even pick a charity to support each year and donate the proceeds from the dinner.”
Kaylee looked up from a box she was looking through. “Haven, that is a wonderful idea! There are so many businesses here in Hamilton willing to donate their time and goods that I think we could make that happen.”
I smiled. For throwing this party together so quickly, we had lucked out with the caterer who had donated her time and the food. The decorations were from the city of Hamilton that they had donated to the community center a few years ago. The tables and chairs were owned by the community center, and since Brock Shaw owned the community center, we got to use it for free.
“Did Jo get back with you about the menu she was doing?” I asked Kaylee.
She stood and wiped her hands on her jeans. “She did! She is going to do antipasto skewers, savory s’mores, cranberry and feta pinwheels, and pear and pomegranate salad. Each table will also have a hummus wreath, baked brie puffs, seven layer-dip cups, and last but not least, roasted butternut squash french bread bites.”
My stomach growled and Sophia and Kaylee both laughed.
“She is doing all of that and doing it for free?” I asked, still surprised that she had offered to do it all on her dime.