New Jersey Fun Facts (#1)

For those of you who will be driving in New Jersey next weekend, this is very important information:

In New Jersey, it is illegal to pump your own gas.

That's right, there is not a single self-service gas station in the entire state of New Jersey. For those of you who grew up anywhere else in the world, this may seem unreal. But it's not. I didn't learn how to pump gas until I was 20 and living in Iowa. Most, if not all of my family--with the exception of the Iowa branch, of course--don't know how to pump gas.

"Why!?" You might be saying, "What could possibly lead to the legislation against pumping your own gas? Is it even constitutional to be denied the right to do things for yourself?" Some of you might even be outraged to the point of, "These are the beginnings of communism!"

The story I'd always heard was about unemployment. Someone, everyone, said that sometime in the seventies unemployment peaked in New Jersey, and our ever watchful state government came up with a plan to create jobs. "Let's make it illegal to pump your own gas," they said, "And force gasoline stations hire attendants. That will create hundreds, if not thousands of jobs!" And what I've always heard was, "Maybe that was a good idea then, to help the people get by during hard economic times, but now we've created a career option that doesn't leave much room for growth." My band director always used to tell us, "Don't drop out of school because you'll end up pumping gas." In New Jersey, pumping gas tops flipping burgers on the list of jobs-teachers-threaten-students-with-when-telling-them-to-stay-in-school.

The internet, which is the answer to all of life's problems, offered some different explanations:

It seems that once upon a time, pumping your own gas was dangerous, so the law was passed to protect the people. Oregon apparently shares this view, and with reason: Zoolander's fashion buddies died in a horrible self-pumping gasoline accident. And there have been no such accidents reported in New Jersey (or Oregon) since the enacting of the law.

Most articles I could find cited the "danger" factor as the reason for the law. Some added a note about the American Disabilities Act, while others did briefly touch on the unemployment issue. But none cited it as the main reason.

In my searching, I did find an article from May 2006 where the governor proposed installing some "test self-service stations" along the NJ turnpike. As you can see from the article, the people of New Jersey threw the biggest hissy fit against a government since the Boston Tea Party. In less than a week, it says, the governor withdrew his proposal.

So whatever the reason, the people of New Jersey do not and will not pump their gas. And while you're here, you shouldn't either because it's the law. When you pull up to the station, greet the attendant warmly and thank him for his willingness to serve.

Weather

So what's the weather like in New Jersey in mid-October? According to weather.com (click here to see the forecast) it's high in the mid-sixties, low in the mid-forties. That means cool in the morning, comfortable-cool mid-day, and chilly at night. That means wear layers because even though you're cold in the morning, it'll heat up by 20 degrees and if you're not wearing anything under that heavy sweater, you might suffer heat stroke.

Fall is not very convenient for knowing what to wear, but it sure is pretty! The trees are starting to change color and there's that crisp, winter-is-coming smell. I hope you'll enjoy the drive down from the airport. It's a little hectic until you get on 55, but at that moment you are rewarded with lots and lots of beautiful trees.

Looking forward to seeing you!

Airport Pick-ups

So the next big thing I'm working on is picking up people from the airport. If you haven't already, send me or michael your flight information and we (or my uncle or cousin or somebody) will come get ya!

Thanks, and see you soooooooon!

The Play List

In lieu of a DJ at the reception, Michael and I have opted for the iPod play list. Now, DJs are nice because they take requests and they feel the crowd, but they are expensive. So since we won't have a man with headphones taking requests, we're taking them now.

So leave a comment and tell us what to play.

And you can tell us what to play even if you're not coming.

Thanks!

Hotel Rooms, Part 2

As you can see from the previous post, our reception is going to happen in a hotel. For those of you who know our story, you know that hotels play an important role--namely that I picked up Michael in the lobby of a hotel in Thailand. Scandalous, I know. Anyway, you get to be part of our hotel story. Those of you who are out-of-towners can also stay at the Ramada for that weekend at a discount rate of $75 per room per night plus tax. Here's how.

1. Decide if you need roommates or if you will be renting a room for yourself. (If you need roommates but don't know who, let me know and we'll hook you up.)
   
2. Decide if you need any special accommodations: can't do stairs, need a cot or rollaway bed for Billy your third child, need a fridge for your insulin shots...
   
3. After the roommate arrangements/special accommodations decisions are made call (856) 696-3800.
   
   • Tell them your with the Peeples-Sauceda Wedding
     
   • Tell them which nights you will be staying.
     
   • Tell them about any special accommodations you need. They should not charge you extra for any of those things.
   
   
4. Your rate includes breakfast.
   
5. You have to do this before October 3rd for the discounted rate of $75 plus tax or the rate will default back to the regular price of $109 plus tax.

So let's review:

• Singles who want to split the room with someone (up to 4 people) should either make their own arrangements with other people OR should email me and I can hook you up.
  
• If you have special needs, tell the front desk when you call.
  
• You have to call before October 3rd.
  
• You have to say it's for the Peeples-Sauceda wedding.

The telephone number: (856) 696-3800
The address: 2216 W. Landis Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360

For driving directions from the Philadelphia Airport.
For driving directions to the church.
For driving directions to Atlantic City. (For those of you who really want to party like it's 1999...)

If you have any questions or problems, let me know. Thanks for being patient on this one.

Let's Party Like It's 1999 (The Reception Post)

We signed a contract today and finally have a reception hall! So...

The Regency Ballroom
Ramada Inn
2216 W. Landis Avenue
Vineland, NJ 08360

If you have any special dietary needs (i.e. you're vegetarian, allergic to gluten, etc) let me know or if you have small children who don't like fancy food and would rather eat chicken tenders let me know that, too. You can write it on your RSVP or comment on this post or email me. Also, I have to give the caterer an official number on October 10th so please please please send me your RSVPs before then.


If you want directions, go here.

So let's party like it's 1999! Or like it's my wedding and you're really excited about it. Or like it's 1997 and it was a really good year for alternative music.

God is Generous

So that's been the thing I've been learning the last year. At the risk of sounding like a moocher and free-loader, we've received money from people (sometimes people we don't know well, or people we knew well a long time ago but have fallen out of touch with, and sometimes close friends and our loving family) when we needed it the most, we've gotten cars, and we are well-fed, we've gotten clothes and shoes as gifts at just the right time...

And now we're planning a wedding with a tight budget and a tight schedule and so many things are falling into place.

I confess that I am not a person who easily believes in prayer. My whole Christian life, I have been quick to study and talk about and teach doctrine, and I love the Bible and delving into its depths. But me and prayer, I do it because I believe God loves me, but many prayers are acts of the will where I actively choose to believe that the infinite God would be mindful of me. But God, over and over and over again proves to me that he is attentive, faithful, and generous.

I'll have more wedding details hopefully Monday or Tuesday. Keep checking the blog, and when those contracts are signed and sealed, I'll let you know.

And if you are the kind of person who prays, Praise God because he is generous.