Parents of the HS Class of 2009 (Part 1)

Parents Forum Class of 20xx Community
40901

Alas, co-worker will be leaving sooner rather than later. The atmosphere around her is chaotic, her energy level is bordering on manic and her mistakes are becoming more substantial.

CBB, I am so not anxious to become a MOB. Older D is really close to being engaged and I am way too busy at work to deal with a wedding - and a multi-cultural one at that.

Two of the three kids are moving this weekend. We are going to younger D’s college town to help her.(My baby is going to be a senior!) Son will have the assistance of his FIL and BIL. It should be under 100 degrees where we are headed, which is a plus.

40902

D had her 2nd fitting. All went well. One more to go closer to the wedding. Plans for the shower are shaping up. I need to do some more on that this weekend. We are taking care of most things. She is panicking a bit but only because the ONE thing that I assigned to my H doesn’t appear to be getting done. I have asked him a couple of times about it with no success. I’m about to try to figure out how to take it on myself since it’s the DJ! One thing he has to do and he can’t seem to organize himself to reach out to them and set up a time to meet. Really? Ugh!!! We take the caterer to the venue (since they have never been there before) next week and I’m finishing up everything else. Sigh…

40903

Ok, we are surely in this together!

CBBB, my D informed me through a text that the multiple emails I send are just too much.
I send emails because of the time difference and lately they have been links to pictures of
DIY flowers which…oh yes, she is expecting me to pull off. I did reply with a snotty retort that went over her head.
She is a super calm person so her annoyance / tone surprised me.

D is on night call for two weeks and we have had very little contact.
I doubt she is even thinking about the wedding.

RM, I understand. Guessing you get to make an appointment and then listen while H complains
about the time or date. Then of course he will do it with flying colors and get all kind of kudus
at the wedding for the amazing Dj… :)).

I am making the 6 welcome bags and just know they are going to want this and that and not
this. I will feel annoyed as they did not give input even when asked…but I will nod and smile.

safe travels mp. Gosh your kids are getting old fast.

40904

Good morning.

Sending the deep breath mojo to those with brides afoot. Even the sweetest peeps can temporarily adopt a wee bit of the bridezilla juju now and thn, I find, and I think its extra hard on the moms, who WANT to mind their own biz, but who also know what it takes to pull off a major shindig.

Tonight I’m having dinner with my “mob” friend whose daughter is getting married in 2 weeks in a very informal/outdoorsy style wedding a few hours away. This friend is normally pretty unflappable (she runs a daycare) but this wedding is kinda doing her in I think :wink:

Her D is very laid back (a darling girl, actually) and has decided to hire a friend to cater the outdoor event.

My friend is secretly arming herself with pro advice as backup, I think, and is nervous the food is in less experienced hands. So I’ve worked through # pounds of ice needed and that kind of stuff, and she’s going to raid my pool house chest of entertaining paraphenalia that includes an inflatable salad bar ice holder, etc. I’d connected her with my friend who owns a couple of catering/wedding venues for advice.

Meanwhile, another friend of mine is the bride herself that same weekend, and is also hosting an informal affair up at Bon Echo park in Canada. After having her intended venue not obtain a liquor license in a timely fashion, she’s now discovered the alternate venue doesn’t have tablecloths :wink: Its a tiny town, but really, we need to import table clothes? Here’s hoping I’m not detained at the border, or it may be a little more informal than she intended :wink:

This stuff is all kinda cute to me from afar, but if I were in the thick of it, I’d be chewing my arm off, as I am the type that likes to run the show ;). I already have a sense of the tip-toeing that would be involved with my prospective future DIL, so my heart goes out to those of you trying to sit on your hands or otherwise becalm the brides!

40905

Thanks for the mojo, @kmcmom13! As I told D the other night, it will all be fine – because it will! :slight_smile: I also told her about the somewhat lengthy list of details I’ve got on my computer … I said I’d prioritize/organize it better before sending it to her, and then we can discuss what she can off-load to me. In terms of prioritizing – there are a couple of creative/crafty things she had in mind that will make absolutely no difference in the success of the wedding, so those are going at the bottom of the list. If they don’t happen, none of the guests will ever know the difference.

The fitting went well; not a lot of work needs to be done, except for shortening. This involves lace, which, IMO, is quite a chore. Oh, and she also got her veil, which is very simple. Her dress has gorgeous back details, so she doesn’t want to hide that.

As for communicating – she thought emails would be better than texts. Fine with me. This afternoon is her bridal shower.

40906

Still planning the bridal shower. Was in total shutdown this weekend. We are going on mandatory OT - of course because of my level I don’t GET anything for it. Meaning that my guys will get paid but not me. Just painful in the time period with the shower, wedding and new grandchild on the way. Just not FUN! Still waiting on the details and how they will come down. Sometimes we are able to make our own schedule - other times it has come down that we HAVE to do a specific schedule which may not work for me currently. I don’t really think we need it yet and I wished people would just be adults and do what needs to be done when it needs it and not have to come down from high that it is needed. Sigh.

So any thoughts on fun shower games? I think that is next up for me. I do have an idea on the menu. Doing spinach salad, ham salad sandwiches, lobster rolls, tuna salad sandwiches, chips and mason jar cupcakes. Thoughts? I’m okay with changing so looking for opinions. :slight_smile: Really need shower games though and not everyone knows each other as an aside.

40907

The menu sounds delicious! Only thought I would have is maybe
switching out one of the fish for something else like chicken salad or egg salad or even vegetarian , like cucumber sandwiches .

40908

I did think about not doing the lobster - DIL requested that one and D requested tuna which is how I ended up there. Maybe I should add another one like a chicken or egg. Not a ton of people so worried that I will have too much. :slight_smile: Less than 20 people coming - probably more like 10 once I get a final list.

40909

Happy to report that D’s bridal shower on Saturday was a great success! Of course, with my 4 SIL’s as hostesses, it was bound to be … the SIL whose home it was at is just the best at hosting large parties. She’s so organized and calm. Great food; lots of leftovers. Played 3 fun games, none of which was the typical “Gift Bingo.” (1) He Said/She Said – D and her fiancé had pre-answered questions; guests had to choose whose answer was listed. (2) Love Quotes – match the author with various quotes about love. (3) What’s In Your Bag – nothing to do with wedding stuff; various points for things that might be in your own handbag. Example: scissors were worth 20 points; a pen was worth 5. Pretty sure my SIL said she found all the games online; she had made up the answer cards on the computer and printed them out. This same crafty SIL made small jars of strawberry jam, and wine cork key chains for favor bags.

OK, so check that off the list; moving on to other “To Do” things …

40910

CBB - so happy your D’s bridal shower was such a success! Hoping my D’s will be as well. I need to get cracking on that. I’m trying to decide on the number of games. Sounds like 3 is a good number. :slight_smile: I will also be doing some that just go on throughout the party - hidden rings and don’t say “bride” - at the end the person who has the most will win some sort of prize.

40911

RM… I am sure the shower will be wonderful! You are very talented! Three games are enough. Was at a shower last weekend and we played a wedding emoji game that was fun. You had to figure out what the wedding phrase was based on emojis. Lots of laughter ensued. Of course the young girls did the best!

Helping D2’s friends and her MIL plan a baby shower in October. Looking like it will be Fall/pumpkin theme but it could change when we have our meeting next Tuesday. If we go with this theme the pumpkins will be painted white/pale pink with gold accents on stems. I will help make banners and sew some hanging circle decorations no matter what the theme is. Here some ideas we are thinking of:

https://www.■■■■■■■■/listing/252945716/a-little-pumpkin-is-on-her-way-fall-girl?ref=listing-shop-header-2

http://www.joann.com/pink-pumpkin-story/3165880P144.html?crlt.pid=camp.GYBydJSzfxR7#start=49

I will make these myself:
https://www.lepetitpainstore.com/products/pink-white-and-gold-glitter-circle-polka-dots-paper-garland-banner-10-ft-banner?utm_campaign=Pinterest%20Buy%20Button&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Pinterest&utm_content=pinterest-buy-button-027226f76-c552-4147-9d4e-2a38caa579ba

and a banner like this:
http://www.getcreativejuice.com/2011/11/our-parties-little-pumpkin-girl-baby.html

Dessert could be mini pumpkin pies, candy apple bar and cake.

Lots of ideas that need to finalized!

40912

NM, those are really nice! Sounds like it will be a beautiful event!

Love hearing about all the showers.

40913

Happy to hear about all the fun showers and weddings to come
MP and RM don’t work too hard.
This summer has been fun. we went to St John for a week and the lake last week. I was a bit stressed as my H invited people to come to the lake and my boards were this week. but it all worked out and I passed.
The process is so weird. They use a wand (like at the airport on you front and back) take images of both index fingers, make you turn your pockets inside out. and inspect your glasses. minimal jewelry. lock all your stuff in a locker.
My back went out last night , on the heating pad and ibuprofen. Its different from my usual back issues . I huge knot in my lower back.
Now I don’t know how to settle down, without something to do for school. I have already started cleaning out
Our closet imploded. while we were on vacation. mostly the closet racks came off the wall. H wants to do a closet organizer company. Any suggestions.
NM I think I congratulated you on FB on your new grandchild.

40914

WOW and congratulations on your Boards!!! Happy Dance and you deserve so much more!
Hope your back feels better.

D’s wedding is 45 days or so ? I cannot keep track. I finally have the clothes but no shoes at all.
Sending 9 back tomorrow. I do not even have an “I hate them” back up pair.

We have had so many outside repairs and things that is causing us to bleed money
and none of it has to do with inside beauty at all. Someone in my house who is not me
used the wrong product on the garage floor. We will now have a lovely epoxy floor
not budgeted for…and I have not even raised my voice :smiley: .
I can be loads nicer when a REAL mistake happens then if it is just stupidity.

Dealing with the FMIL now --she is ok enough and I think D will have a good one.
However, there seems to be an expectation that I will “take care” of her. She is use to
her S and H making the plans. I am the one here doing that. I do not want anything but
harmony going forward but I do no† have time for her at all.

40915

Ok, in fairness she just replied to my email that I sent with a pic of my jacket and was
very complimentary. She did still defer to her S and H regarding if she wants to use my hairdresser.
I cannot imagine involving my S or H in that decision which is what I think is the difference between the
two of us.

40916

Wow Oregon
At our age we need less dependents. I am not on board for taking on any more. (except for a dog). boundries.
I feel at loose ends today. but have to do my work eval. just don’t want to.
Back is better after motrin and heat. Still sore but I can move.

40917

Crazy work week and even crazier at home. Just lots going on. I have tomorrow off and will be running around writing checks to a variety of places for the wedding. Only a few weeks away now so it’s time to start really paying everyone. Our family room is really currently stuffed into other areas of my house as my H finishes painting the room and laying the hardwood floor. Just lots going on. All good though.

DTE - hope you feel better soon! Congrats on passing your boards. Must seem funny to no longer be taking classes.

Oregon - I can’t image asking my H where to get my hair done or even what I’m wearing. I do ask if it looks nice and for the most part he knows enough to just agree that it does. :slight_smile: We are also in the repair mode as I stated above but most of ours is inside. I took the opportunity of the wedding to get my H off his butt and get a few things that I’ve been wanting done done. :slight_smile:

Happy weekend all.

40918

Happy weekend indeed :wink:

First off, WOOT to DTE. You deserve a nice rest now from all your hard work!

And cheers to the showers passed and in the offing.

Things feel a bit crazy around here in terms of work sked. Grateful to be busy as we only eat what we kill around here, but I find myself occasionally fantasizing about what life might have been like at this age with golden handcuffs and five or six weeks vacation :wink:

Then again, the guy who took the Managing Editor job I turned down before leaving the biz and joining H’s tiny co. has since been ousted so those golden handcuffs might be mostly fiction these days :wink: Whereas self-employment at least keeps me agile…whether willfully agile or not :wink:

The point at which I left the biz, I’d already had 5 weeks vacation. And that was 15 years ago. This point is lost on mch, for whom the notion of vaca is foreign.

With that said, we’re taking a whopping 2 days off to drive up to Bon Echo for a wedding next weekend, with a stop in Toronto.

And that will be on the heels of the Fam Damily campout this weekend at our place (its a Canadian long weekend.) This year, a summer exchange and band camp has meant I won’t get to see the hoards of “wee” ones from two of my sibs. On one hand, an adult visit might be nice. On the other, I look forward to seeing the kids.

It will be a little rough on mom as this weekend last year was the last time we were all together before her partner passed, which was less than 4 weeks later.

Though she has bounced back a bit in that she was recently out on a pretty hot date, by all accounts. She thinks he’s a bit of a playboy, since he’s never married and has a lot of toys (collector cars, etc.) He’s also 12 years her junior, so she’s not sure why he’s interested in her.

I’ve explained “who cares/just have fun” since he’s very financially independent in his own right (not feathering the nest like her former…in fact, I know of his bus partner and have reason to believe there are no concerns in this regard.)

We shall see what comes of this. Hopefully, fun without heartbreak. If she truly wants her freedom, this type of guy is probably just what doc-KMC ordered :wink:

40919

Mucho Congratulations DTE. What does this mean in terms of your work? Will you stay at the same place and move into an NP role? ShawD found that for primary care jobs, she couldn’t get them in Boston (except at a prison, I think) but got a great job outside of Boston. All the Boston jobs asked for 3-5 years of experience. You actually have a lot of experience, though not as an NP, and are well-known at your hospital, so maybe the transition will work. She did get a few offers for highly specialized jobs.

Good luck with all the wedding planning. ShawWife and I are, alas, flying from the Canadian Rockies to Toronto for our nephew’s wedding (we’re thrilled about the wedding, just not about having to give up a weekend of art-making in the Rockies. The wedding will be at the same farm that ShawWife and I were married at 33 years ago. The bride and groom are great kids – they are both into extreme sports. Theydo the extra-long triathlons. He swam the English Channel a year or two ago without a wetsuit. She was not allowed to swim it because she has so little body fat. The funny thing about this. ShawWife hates to shop and was trying to shop in her closet for the wedding. Her former clothes are largely black (artsy) or white. She a white dress with an all-white heavily embroidered thing she got from India. The fashion police vetoed a black outfit (too much like a funeral?) and a white outfit (you shouldn’t compete with the bride). Well, the bride is somewhere a tall )between 5’10" and 6’) blonde Dutch girl who with no body fat and in fantabulous shape. They will undoubtedly pour her into her dress and I doubt anyone anyone in the wedding could compete with her. But, ShawWife had to go shopping while we were in the West.

The wedding will be outdoors and they decided that the most beautiful place on the farm is down a hill on a river. Alas, that means all the guests will have to walk down the hill. And they have had lots of rain over the last month and the path has been washed out twice. Prudent folk might well have moved to another site (it is 125 acres and has had a number of weddings after ours on different sites). But, these guys are determined (stubborn?). So, I’ve brought hiking boots to go with my dress shoes.

40920

DTE - congratulations!! What a fabulous accomplishment!! Best of luck in finding a position that makes the most of what you offer! Would you like to stay where you are?

I love hearing all about the wedding and shower plans - I can live vicariously!