Parents of the HS Class of 2009 (Part 1)

Parents of HS Class of 20xx
10961

<p>I was in my last year of law school when H & I tied the knot. Both families were “out of town” so we were basically left to make the arrangements but happily both of our parents contributed - with H’s family doing the traditional rehearsal dinner, H paying for the clergy, my flowers and a limo. MIL insisted that I needed a formal portrait done (which I had not planned on doing) for an announcement in her local paper. That was expensive- about $500 just for the sitting and I definitely didn’t have money budgeted for that. I suspect H paid for it so his parents wouldn’t think he was marrying a total non-society type! They figured it out soon enough. </p>

<p>The wedding ended up being far more formal and structured than I would have liked, but marriage is about compromise. I draw the line at lawnmowing, however.</p>

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<p>Most of my friends who have kids that have recently wed shared expenses, though not all equally. Most of the groom’s famlies have done the traditional things you see on line and in the etiquette books like rehearsal dinner, bride’s bouquet, corsages, boutonnnieres, officiant, reception music (DJ or band) and half if not all alcohol. We have given D1 what we consider a very generous budget (more than what her private school charges for a years worth of attendance!) but with 22% service charge on top of everything the help from groom’s family would really make a difference when most entrees around here range from $27 to $40 per plate, add tax and service charge and it is quite expensive! Missypie…not sure what the family’s financial situation is. Both work outside of the home and have for years. They are very nice to D1 and are thrilled to welcome her to the family but H is a little cranky about the situation at the moment. We will see the family next weekend at graduation…hope H is in a better mood! Although now that I think of it he will probably be grouchy thinking that she is graduating with no school debt and fiance has loans to pay! Haha! I wouldn’t put it past him to suggest waiting another year if they want a more elaborate wedding or to take the money and run away. Goodness!</p>

<p>edit: Just got off the phone listening to crabby H again. I am going to have that glass of wine and it is only 3:30!!! At least there is no chocolate in the house!! :eek:</p>

10963

<p>Okay, I’m sure all the fans of Friends have been thinking of this:</p>

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<p>later…</p>

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10964

<p>^^^ You can always make me laugh! How do you remember these things??? Haha! I would be happy if they just paid for the rehearsal dinner!</p>

10965

<p>Ditto all the comments about TheAnalyst! Enjoy your well deserved glass of wine with your friends :)</p>

<p>Zetesis - that is fabulous news, especially Linear Algebra - that’s the class that messed up my GPA freshman year! Still waiting for D’s final grade - so far 1 A and 2 Bs. I’m think she could do better, but I was pleased this afternoon when she was emailing a sociology professor to tell him about an article she read that mentioned something they’d discussed in class. She is truly interested in and absorbing the material, which is more than I could say sometimes when she was in high school.</p>

<p>Sorry about all the cranky Hs. My DH is chronically cranky so I feel your pain. Wine definitely lessens the burden ;)</p>

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Apparently it can work the other way as well. My neighbor just told me that her S (married less than a year) has asked for help with a down-payment on a house. Apparently his in-laws are willing to take out a second mortgage on their own home to help the young couple, and expect my neighbors to do the same!!</p>

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<p>lol at the Friends excerpt! What a cheerful distraction this thread can be.</p>

<p>D1 and I got home late last night (after about 15 hours of driving for me over previous day or so - though I shouldn’t complain, considering other parents like Modadunn’s H). She’s done with school for a month, then summer course in physics (pre-med req). The end of a challenging but rewarding freshman year with some very engaging classes. Now, if only D2 can survive the end of term at her competitive HS …</p>

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<p>Okay, son hasn’t even been home for a week, and is at a loss for what to do this summer. I do think getting a job is going to be a big challenge and the community college doesn’t offer but one class that he’s SURE will transfer and be worth anything. He’s never been one to volunteer, but I’m thinking that’s his only viable option, and since he doesn’t drive, that will make ME the chauffer again. If my company was busier, I’d be able to put him to work here, but…</p>

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<p>congrats to Zetisis’ D . hard classes! I want to go visit with you to see the analyst! I think tradition aside it should be all sides helping to pay for the wedding. however I am the mom of two girls so that might be why… I told them after private HS and college, heck they’ve gone to all private since preschool. that they can get married in the backyard. that friends episode gives me ideas… though!</p>

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<p>good luck all you wedding-planners and wedding participants. I won’t be worrying about THAT for a LONG time - HA ONE thing I don’t have to worry about …hmmm…other than worrrying about the fact that it might never happen…Oh bother…</p>

10970

<p>Ok, here’s a bad story. Last month, D called me to say that one of her closest friends from HS who attends another college returned to her dorm room one night and found her roommate unconscious, naked and apparently raped - clothes off, blood everywhere.
911 called, poor girl examined, rape test kit, Plan B administered. Girl eventually did not press charges. Well, D was upset about this and didn’t even know the girl but called me to process the whole thing. I told H the story. H just ran into closest friend’s father and offered concern, etc. Friend’s father did not know what the hell H was talking about; apparently D’s friend did not share with her parents. Admittedly, my D shares a lot with us but I wish that my H had some sort of control button. I hope it doesn’t get back to D’s friend. I also hope that girl who was attacked gets some help.</p>

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<p>Woody that is my worst nightmare. I hope they are both ok but the roomate is going to need lots of help. why would they drop the charges, reminds me of UVA student.
I am there with TM on the wedding. D1 says the guys she meets are either gay or drink all the time. She has a friend who’s grades have plummeted because of her boyfriend, introduced her to smoking , and is a huge distraction. D1 is looking for someone who takes school seriously, and who obviously is not gay.</p>

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<p>Yes, it really sickened to hear that the girl did not pursue any criminal charges. I wonder if that is really up to her to do so.</p>

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<p>Oh horrible story Woody. All the way around. Guess I have relatively little to worry about</p>

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<p>I don’t think it IS up to the girl to press charges – it’s up to the police. However, if she, the only witness, would not cooperate with police or report it…I guess there’s no case (although perhaps the rate kit and plan b could be entered as evidence). I wonder if it would be worth having the d.'s friend explain that by not pursuing the case she is (indirectly) putting other unsuspecting women in jeopardy. Don’t mean to sound mean, the poor thing’s likely already feeling bad about that part if she’s dealing with it at all. Just think in the end, as awful as the justice system can be, that it’s more emotionally empowering and offers prospects for healing that are superior to just operating over top of it.</p>

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<p>Oh Woody, that makes me sad, angry and scared all at the same time. What a horrible thing to happen to that young lady. I hope that she gets counseling and also shares this with her parents.</p>

<p>On a happier note, Zetesis, wow! Congrats to D!</p>

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<p>Husband decided to cook yesterday afternoon, with Son’s help. Remember that scene in *Sleeping Beauty *where the good fairies are making Aurora’s birthday cake? That’s what our kitchen looks like.</p>

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<p>I hate to cook so I’m always happy when someone else does it. On the other hand, the price I pay is in the clean up afterwords. “Clean up as you go along” is something that only I get in my house.</p>

10978

<p>Hi everyone! It’s taken me several days to find a big enough chunk of time to catch up on all the posts. Can you imagine if we were all in the same place in person? Talk about a gabfest! </p>

<p>Anyway, I’m feeling almost 100%. If there’s a silver lining to my gallbladder escapade, it’s that I’ve lost 10 pounds. Certainly not the recommended way to lose weight, but I’ll take it. Re: H’s taking on the surgical residents on my behalf to get the procedure done sooner rather than later – H invests in healthcare companies. I say he knows enough to be dangerous! But, he does have a network of some of the best doctors and healthcare professionals in the country, so knows who to call for info/contacts/etc. At times like this, I’m glad he’s on my side. I never would have made it to D’s graduation if the whole thing couldn’t be done laparoscopically.</p>

<p>Graduation was great. It ended up being held in the basketball coliseum for the first time since 1991, but the plus side of that was the tiered seating in the arena, vs everyone being on the same level in the quad. It was all beyond bittersweet for D, who enjoyed every minute of her 4 years at Wake Forest. It’s even odd for me to think I may never be in Winston-Salem, NC again!</p>

<p>So now she’s back home, along with ALL her stuff! For the past 3 summers she had stored most of it near school, so it’s kind of a shock to see the piles of stuff all over the house. She starts at Yale (going for an MPH) at the end of August, so will be apartment hunting soon. She has a lead on several job possibilities for the summer.</p>

<p>S (my 2013) happily finished his first year at WPI with no NRs (fails) and keeps all his merit money. His AF ROTC physical exam, done by a doc in Worcester, showed some indication of scoliosis, so I had to take him to a radiology place here for a full x-ray series. I remember his pediatrician mentioned a very slight amount of scoliosis many years ago, and said he’d keep an eye on it, but it was really nothing. S did a wide variety of sports over the years (hockey, lax, swimming, water polo, etc) with no problems, so we all hope whatever the x-rays show isn’t anything to get in the way of his dream to become a pilot. He leaves in late June for his summer camp job. Before he leaves he’s getting caught up on appointments, etc. Today he gets his wisdom teeth out – which will give him an excuse to stay in his room with video games. </p>

<p>D’s graduation party is Sunday. It’s fairly small (25) and mostly family. The house will be clean and the food will be great, but all the yardwork will NOT be done. H hates that stuff, and since my schedule was severely disrupted, it is what is is.</p>

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<p>CBB, so glad you’re finally on the mend and were able to make it to the graduation festivities. And Yale to follow for your D! Good academic results for your son too! That’s wonderful. Hopefully the scoliosis is nothing too serious. </p>

<p>D returns from the beach today at some point. Hopefully earlier in the day rather than later as we have an hour drive to retrieve her.</p>

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<p>woody, so sorry to hear such a sad story. I hope both young ladies receive some counseling and support. That would be a horrible thing to deal with.</p>