OO- Last year my mom and I threw a baby shower for my sister, at my mom's house. It's not uncommon for moms/sisters to throw showers, but I'm not sure if that's just a Hispanic thing, or if it's acceptable among everyone here. The thing is, she doesn't have too many friends here, so if it weren't for her family, no one would've done anything for her! What do you all do in that type of situation?

MMS, OWJ: I pray for strength for you guys and your families. I don't know who you are, but I firmly believe in the power of prayer! Keep your heads up :-)

OO - Here in NJ (where weddings are an absurd fortune) it is fairly common for Mother of the Bride to throw the shower or contribute largely to the financial ends of it to help out the bridal party. I've been to showers with 96 women in attendance! That's a bit much to foist on your bridesmaids & their pocketbooks! My Mother hosted my shower in her home (for about 40 guests), paid for the catering and let the bridemaids take care of invites, decorations & favors. My bridesmaids were very appreciative.

RANT: This is a big one!! my computer crashed! I am reformatting/installing as we speak!!

Bigger Rant: I misplaced my thumb drive last week, so did not do any backups for the last 7 days! Have been very busy and had all sorts of new files I'd created. Now I have nothing, nothing at all!! And yes, I am kicking myself.

Rave/Rant- Have 24 kids assembling at our hous e tomorrow to take HUGElimo to Prom. It will be nice to see/photograph all the kids, but likely a large number of parents will also be here with cameras in hand..Guess I'd better go buy some snacks and drinks!

Best wishes to all suffering in any way right now. My favorite mantra is "this too shall pass". Doesn't make the problems go away, but helps to remember that things change. Certainly it is nice to know that others care.

Rave: Bought my 1st house yesterday, so June will be busy with a vacation in NO & moving

Rant: All the $ I'll be spending in June, my choice though & worth it.

I'd be very happy to attend any Passover I was invited to, if everyone learnt and understood about different cultures/religions it would make this world a lot more peaceful.

I've been following this post all day, not sure what to say to mms, OWJ, and the others who are dealing with so much right now. Just know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Rave: the love and support given by friends here on fodors.

Rants: all minor and not worth mentioning.

OWJ: I'm sorry for your loss. Hang in there. Really. It WILL happen.

mms: My thoughts and prayers are with you and your son.

Rant: Allowing anger and rage into my heart over small people with no integrity. The mighty mouse in me hates to see people treated unjustly. The angry mighty mouse can't bear to see people turn a blind eye, which is even more unjust.

Rave: Dear SIL had last!!!!chemo treatment today for her Breast Cancer

Rave: Tomorrow, as I train for my Breast Cancer 3Day 60 mile trek, I will have Jackie to push me on! She'll ride out my 40 mile week! Best wishes BuffaloGirl. Hugs OWJ.

OWJ: I'm so sorry. It took us 2 years to conceive Ms. Riley although not with the pain of m/c, but with other issues...thoughts are with you!

BuffloGirl: Cheering for Jackie...Let me know...

Rave: Life is good.

Rave: Wine is good!

Rave: Husband and son are great! I am so blessed.

Rave: Got new windows today! The house looks great!

Rave: My solo Paris trip is coming along great! I feel like tghe luckiest girl in the world.

Rant: Los Angeles Unified School District: Even "the best" leaves MUCH to be desired.

SPECIAL NOTE: OWJ: You are not alone. God bless you and your family and have a peaceful Passover.

OWJ and mms, you're in my prayers.

Rave: state home school convention is 2/3 over and things have been going great.

Rant: The 2yo son of our convention coordinators is in ICU with a hole in his heart

Rave: He is responding to medication

Rave: All the other committee members and volunteers have pitched in to fill the gaps; things are running like clockwork! What a great bunch of people.

Lee Ann

OO--I was raised that immediate family members don't give showers but my SIL's sister thought differently. At the time, it was a HUGE deal. They thought I was being lazy and cheap even though I offered to help behind the scenes and contribute but that wasn't good enough....Sometimes, ya just can't win! ;-)

GoTravel--I must have what your friend does and was about to go on a heparin deravitive (had even filled the prescription) but lost this pregnancy before we could even start it. As the sports fans would say, we're down but we're not out. The Lovenox is tucked away for next time and in the meanwhile, we will consult w/a fertility specialist...

OWJ-It worked like a charm for her and hope and pray it does for you!

OO-Although etiquette dictates the MOTB does not host the shower, it is usually given by the mother's best friend with mom footing the bill.

Sort of new to Fodors, hope anyone can join in Rants and Raves!

Rave: We have been having the most fantastic weather here in central FL. It's been in the low 80's and we are getting a cold front this weekend that will have it in the 70's! April usually has 90's.

Rant: Worried about what surprises Mother nature has in store for us this summer! Yikes.

Rave: Having a "Fear Factor Party" for my 7 year old grandson this weekend. Not looking forward to the work, but am looking forward to the fun. Weather is cooperating beautifully.

Rave: Leaving for GC/LV in 1 month!

Prayers to all that need it.

Actually, prayers to all.

Bridal shower input:

'60's, '70's, '80's in my neck of the woods, it was always a no-no for the mother to throw the shower. In fact, the 110 women thing was usually done by a combo of cousins, aunts, girl-friends and done well. No more. People don't have "neighborhoods" and church buddies etc. in such close association as they once did. I do and I am lucky, but many don't, and for all kinds of lifestyle, mobility, and time reasons. In the '60's I was actually given 5 different showers by totally different groups (work, school, family, girlfriends, and my future husband's away family). And none of them were really small.

So the result today is many, many times the bride's mom is the moving force. I am going to one tomorrow and one next Saturday both given by mothers for their daughters (that's not what the invitations read but that's the fact). These mothers are both my 35 year long BUNCO "buds".

And if anyone cares to know, we as Italian Americans and first generation in my family do not have Baby Showers at all. Never, cousins, second-cousins and oodles of associated families (maybe 120-150 people from my mother's side). Even today with the 3rd and 4th generations. We give the baby presents when we visit afterwards and at the Baptism. It was considered very,very bad form to gift a baby before it was born in their culture and it has continued. Probably will as long as my mom is alive. I think these strong dictates are over for the most part- as mobility, religion belief changes, and/or lack of extended community that are very close have all focused a different "take" on the wedding itself. Just celebrate and no one will care.

First time posting on this thread after reading it for a long time. This has become a sypmathy thread. Call me crazy, but the last place I would come to let the world know about my problems is a place like this. It's like a competition to see who has the worst life.

I just posted this to the wrong post, so I'm going to type it over here in the right place.

Kureiff: I really like that House Done, Life Done. Thanks!

mms: Thanks for reposting. It's like the scripture, "How lovely are the feet of those who bring good news!"

OO: Amoung my friends it has been the friends of the Mother that give the shower, but I attended a very nice dinner shower two weeks ago given by mom and sister.

JCE, the people who regularly post on this thread every week CARE about each other... this thread is a way to keep in touch and share the good and hard things in life. If you don't like it, don't read it. Obviously, you have no relationship with any of these lovely people, but it is no reason to criticize them and their concerns.[-x

Good point. People who enjoy the misery of others should be in each others company. People who have a strong will and feel no need to plaster family and health problems on the internet have no need for it.