MY DAUGHTER IS ENGAGED!

[elleng]

Taken this as my home turf!

[The empressof all]

1. Oh that's wonderful

Tell us the scoop. Is she gonna have a big wedding...and most important...What are you gonna have to eat!

[elleng]

3. THANKS empress!

Y'all will probably laugh at this, but I know NUTTIN' at this point! Her SISTER sent me pics of the ring, but that's it!

We've expected this, but actually thought it would not officially happen for some time! Don't know what precipitated it at the moment, but maybe because he, sil, just had surgery concluding no intestinal cancer, and seems to have 'repaired' his crohn's. They're both in Grad School, going well.

SO, I'll ask y'all for 'rules' about what's a mother to do? We live apart, that is, I'm near DC, and daughter and sil are near Philly. What am I supposed to do? Stay tuned!

[The empressof all]

5. I'm so excited for you!

My daughter already announced as a child that she would have her wedding at Disney. Last we visited the mouse she reminded me.

I'd be on the phone finding out what her thinking is. Now a days lots of people have destination weddings which always seems like fun to me. Philly and DC are close enough that if she wants you could go down to help get her dress and look at venues. I'd offer to do what ever she wanted as long as it's within reason...Unless of course you're loaded and it's off to the Plaza in NY for the wedding of "MY" dreams.

[elleng]

6. Not loaded here,

and in court w. her father about MY income!!!!

Fortunately or not, I kind of know her thinking, and its not at all similar to what mine would be! Husb's family, in ohio, had 'big' weddings (for there), but she's already looked at BIG hotel in DC! If that's what they expect, I'll tell her to discuss that ENTIRELY with her father (we he and I CAN'T talk about $!)

I suspect this wouldn't be for some time, but will ask her quickly about that, and offer to do 'what ever,' as you suggest. What about things like engagement parties etc??? Don't want to appear to be TOO much of a klutz (for her) tho I've never cared much about what others think! (Daughters just CAN'T understand that!)

THANKS SO MUCH!

[The empressof all]

7. You know....I think the "rules" have changed a lot since I was young

I didn't have any family support for my wedding...or much else either (I know...sad story) Anyhoo I think now a days most young people are throwing those old traditions by the wayside in terms of who pays for what and who hosts what. I think just asking her what she needs and offer what you are able. I know for me that time of "engagement" was probably one of the happiest in my life. For me it was like discovering a third leg or something and finally feeling "stable and settled" It was a great benefit to my life at the time. But everyone is different. I had a friend who cried for a year before she got married. As a Mom though I think your greatest gift would be to relieve stress as best you can.

[elleng]

10. I hope to relieve stress! MINE!

Unfortunately I'm in litigation w. her father, my 'husb,' who is rather ~, so I'm not very hopeful. Daughter does tend to have 'nervous' times, but needs more help than I can give her, as to that. (One reason she's with her guy is that he seems to have the ability to soothe her.)

I guess its somewhat fortunate that we don't live near one another. I am curious to know where she wants to have it; her 'old' friends are here, near DC, and his family and friends near Philly, where they're located and likely to remain. SO if its there, they get to do the 'work.' If here, her father gets to figure out how to pay!

UhOh, just thought of this! Hope she asks her sister to be maid of honor! They don't always get along!

Gotta stop thinking!

[Stinky The Clown]

2. YeeHAW!!!!! Congrats!

[elleng]

4. Dear Stinky,

Thanks for the beautiful 'shot!'

[Tesha]

8. oh, how wonderful!!

Mother of the Bride!

So many things to think of, plan for, arrange...
There are a million sites out there on how to do weddings - great ideas - even on the cheap!

You'll keep us in the loop, right?
Congratulations!

[elleng]

9. Thanks, Tesha!

Don't feel like any 'honorary' like MOTB, like Hillary, at the moment. Too much other b.s. happening!

I suspect that my daughter will have lots of the details in mind; am waiting to hear!

[Callalily]

11. Congrats to your daughter

and future son-in-law.

Rule? I don't think there are no rules. When my niece got married my sister and brother-in-law paid for everything, and my niece and her future spouse were in their early thirties and living together for at lest 5-years.

When my daughter got married, (am divorced too, spouse in MIA - lol) my only responsibility was to show up. My daughter and future son-in-law planned everything and paid for everything. And to be truthful, it was the best wedding I ever attended.

So my advice to you? Go shopping for that gorgeous mother-of-the-bride dress, sit back and enjoy!

[elleng]

12. Thanks, Calla!

She'll discuss $ with her father (who has all the $, including MINE!) and we'll make decisions together! She promised we can visit hotels etc. to sample the food!