I have been to very few showers, but every single one was at someone's house with cake and finger foods.

The one bachelorette party was a personal shower (at the MoH's house with a cake and finger foods) and drinks/dancing at a local country bar. We all were going to pay for our own drinks, but the MoH thought about that ahead of time and made sure the party was on Ladies' Night. We had free drinks all night long.

I just haven't filled scripts or gone to the doctor (next on the to-do list, call doctor about back. demand appt and flexoril.) in the last month and a half. Because even with reimbursement, out of pocket is still that.

Ah, now I get it.

New rule:

Insurance people should stop giving Cassiepants grief and give her quesedillas instead.

"Hmmm... I want to give Cass some grief!" t pulls out frying pan, tortillas, some nice cheese, a little sliced avocado on the side and some benadryl

See why we should let me make the rules?

Oh, and I'll give waivers for resturant showers provided they meet certain criteria. Escalation will NOT be permitted.

Ouch bug. The money from nothing trick gets very very old. I would like the world to give you good news that has no accompanying bad news. None.

Fear me! I am a salsa-making goddess!

Instead of being able to spread the premium over 12 months, I now have to pay 30% down to start the policy.

That sucks, vw! I know this is required when you start with a new company, but to continue an existing one? Sucks It.

Tom and I just realized today we've burned through all our cushion money from the move. Argh. On the bright side, all our books are unpacked! We have a book nook!

Fear me! I am a salsa-making goddess!

Hides under the desk

My birthday parties were always modest and I Almost Died.(No, not about the parties...that was just something I heard on my birthday, part of the legend, you know?) It didn't hurt that I was the sort of kid with one BFF at a time, though.

I know this is required when you start with a new company, but to continue an existing one? Sucks It.

I'm going to call them tomorrow to see what the scoop is. Maybe they sent out the wrong paperwork?

I'm going to call them tomorrow to see what the scoop is. Maybe they sent out the wrong paperwork?

Yeah, it doesn't hurt to ask and try to get them to keep things the way they are.

Also, thanks everyone for saying that I don't suck.

I know some people who have thrown showers recently who felt it was easier to have them at a restaurant so they could relax and enjoy themselves rather than worry about doing a ton of cooking and having to do all the clean up.

Good point, and very true. But I know my friend was unhappy because while the MoH wanted a very special shower for her sister, for my friend ponying up over $400 for the shower wasn't easy. If you want to do, that's wonderful, but you have to make sure the other bridesmaids can afford it, too.

Right up there with Kiddie Birthday Inflation.

This has gotten insane. Parties for two-year-olds at Little Gym or Chuck E. Cheese, with goodie bags for every kid, *plus* age-appropriate goodie bags for the littler siblings. It's not a case where you're being asked to pay your way, and with two-year-olds it's not so much an issue, but some of the parties for four-year-olds and up? Leads to the inevitable, "But *I* want a party at Ridiculously Overpriced Venue *with* a clown and face painting and gourmet cake and..."

Kids satisfied with homemade cake and a donkey's ass are a thing of the past.