Turtle

Thanks i'll check out the website!

The traditional role of MOH had a lot of responsibilites (some financial) that came with it. It used to be that, when asked, a girlfriend could turn it down with no hard feelings (because it is such a huge responsibility, both time and financial). Today, in general, I think that most brides expect less, or at least what is more reasonable in her MOH given circumstances (where she lives in proximity to bridal shower guests, her income, etc. in other words-flexible about expectations). Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like this describes your friend. Yes, you are right!!!

If there are 2 MOH you should be sharing these duties equally, unless the other one is a junior MOH-then that is more honorary than responsibility.

I have been in touch with the other MOH but she too has a stressed income. She's a single mom just got her degree (which is AWESOME, we're so proud of her) and she's job searching. I was laid off and although have found part time work and eagerly seeking full time work my budget is very small. The other MOH mentioned wanting to do the bachelorette party thing. I have been up front with her that if she wants to do that go for it but that I could not committ to that. I have no problem with throwing a shower and I will figure out how to pull that off, but I will not fund a bachelorette party. It's not that i'm not fun or oppose them I just prefer my money to go toward something else and because the expectation for the bachelorette party will exceed my budget b/c the expectation will be limos and expensive bars, etc. I simply just cannot afford that.

Bottom line is the bridesmaids have the fun, the MOH takes the blame!

This is gonna be a bit lengthy but figured I may as well tell all the details up front. I really need some thoughts, ideas, suggestions, maybe a support group (HAHAHAHAHAHA!!) etc. The wedding is June 2007.

Long story short, my childhood friend asked me and another girl that grew up with us to be MOH's in her wedding. My parents are best friends with the brides mom and we've all known each other for over 25 years. The bride is very high maintenance in that everything has to be name brand, top of the line, she must always be dressed to the nines, etc. I am totally opposite in that I like nice things, but I could care less about labels and think you can have nice things without breaking your bank. It's kind of a running joke amongst our families with regards to how high maintenance she is. But, we all accept each other as we are and just enjoy life.

WELL.....since the wedding planning has begun it's becoming a bit stressful & it's really effecting our friendship. We used to talk weekly now I hardly hear from her. And it's to the point where I cannot wait for this event to be over with. I hate to say it but it's like an episode off that Bridezilla show sometimes. She called me one day all ticked off b/c nobody has given her an engagement party and that it should be the responsibility of the parents to be giving them this party and they haven't. I just let her vent. I was so floored. Plus being that i'm so opposite of her it's hard for me to process why she's so irate about nobody throwing her an engagement party.

So in August, the bride picked out the bridesmaids dresses which are quite expensive (b/c of course they have to be name brand i.e. Vera Wang). Okay fine, it's her special day and I will figure out how to pay for it. I live out of town, but I arranged to come in town one weekend and go with her to see the dresses, etc. She e-mails me 2 days prior telling me she didn't think she'd feel like getting outta bed Saturday morning to go. Uhhhh...okay. I let it roll off my shell and just spent the time with my family instead.

I am really starting to stess out about my role as the MOH. I have no idea what a MOH even does. I've been a bridesmaid a gazillion times but never a MOH. And I know her, I know she has expectations of me and i'm very stressed that I will not do it "right". I did talk to her about my feelings and she gave me the "don't worry about it", but I know her....she has expectations. I have no problem with helping out and such but it's becoming hard to be enthusiastic about this b/c of how she is behaving. *sigh*

What I would like from ya'll is can anyone give me some feedback about What is the role of the MOH? What our our "duties"? What if you live out of town and are the MOH? Any suggestions for how to be helpful from afar?

My mom is giving her a bridesmaid luncheon. Do I need to give her a separate shower or some kind of party or is it appropriate & acceptable for me to just assist my mother as a co-host for the bridesmaid luncheon?

I appreciate any feedback you can give....the sad thing is I feel like no matter what I do and how hard I try it's not going to meet her expectations. I guess you can't make everyone happy can you? AGHHHH! Why does life have to be so stupid sometimes??

COOL! I thought they did a good job! And of course anything with Dr. Peter Green RULES!

YES!

Thanks Nancym.

I've been checking out some face, hair, etc. products and some of them have Hops and/or Licorice in them.

Okay...I first want to apologize for not being clearer about my post/question. OOPS!!

When I asked about Hops and Licorice I was asking more specifically about products that have these ingredients in them such as shampoos, lotions, etc. I wrote that post this morning and i'm going on about 3 hours of sleep so no wonder it made no sense. HA!

As for beer...I like New Grist...

Courtney: COOL trying to get it into Bar None! I haven't been able to find any gluten-free beer here and therefore, travel out of state to get it. (Shhh don't turn me in for smuggling it in, haha). Last I talked to Earthfare here(which has been a few months) they said they would likely get some Bard's Tale at some point, but that New Grist would not be on the shelves b/c of the alcohol content???? Okay...whatever! I haven't pressed the issue b/c i've been satisfied just picking it up when i'm in our neighboring state...

If something has hops in it is that unsafe?

What about licorice? Is it safe?

I second that par18!!!

Welcome Back!! We missed you!

Thanks Everyone! Have a happy Monday!

Happy Birthday!

Hey Nini:

That's cool! Welcome lil' Gizmo!

Okay...so the other day i'm off to a home visit to meet with one of my precious autistic kids and I nearly wreck my XTurtle b/c out of the corner of my eye I see a Red Robin going up.... It's going up out there at Sandhills.

For those of you who have Red Robin knowledge PLEASE fill us in...do they actually have a gluten-free menu or have you just had good experiences with the wait staff/manager cooking you something safe??

And the fries...we cannot forget the fries... I thought I read somewhere that they cook them in their own dedicate fryer??

I realize that once the place is open we'll have to go talk to the manager (Courtney i'm recruiting you, HAHA) and ask more specifics to assure safe dining, but I'd love any feedback that you guys have about Red Robin. Thanks!!!

According to the new Delphi list that just came out recently there is a note on there saying that Pam for Baking is NOT gluten free, however Pam NO STICK Spray is gluten-free.

Okay so I took your advice Carla and have been reading up via online about Adrenal Fatigue. Some of the descriptions fit me and when I took the questionaire I scored basically borderline. I took a Depression Screening thing too and again I screened borderline. I am split on this at this point b/c I have had a lot of BIG changes in my life in the past 6mons-year which has caused lots of stress and other emotions. So i'm not sure whether it's an adrenal fatigue thing or a depression thing going on.

My questions to try to work towards figuring this out:

What type of doctor(s) did ya'll see that tested you for Adrenal Fatigue?

What did you ask for??

Do doctors REALLY recognize & help you to treat adrenal fatigue or do they try to push it off as something else such as saying "you're depressed"??

Is Adrenal Fatigue testing covered by insurance plans??

I am more than willing to do some Adrenal Fatigue testing to rule this out or in whatever the case may be. I'm just unclear about what type of doctor I would see for this and what I would ask for.

Have a wonderful time! I'm so jealous!! I have some postcards hangin on the fridge i'll go stare at them and pretend i'm there. HAHA!

Hey Mouse: Santa Rosa is my parents stompin ground several weeks outta the year...it's growing up too...CRAZY!

Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions!!

Carla: I'm definately gonna try out the oils on my hair...mine is long, thick, naturally curly when I allow it to be, it gets dry, etc.

Oh and I know all about putting on too much and getting the greasy look! HAHA! I used to work for AVEDA and they have a pomade that if you use too much...HELLO GREASY HEAD!

Gotta run, have a great day!

Are all coconut oils gluten-free or do you have to watch the labels on that too??

Does it come in an oil form too or just the kind you described Carla where you have to blow dry it to get it to liquify?

Also, Carla didn't you mention using coconut oil in your hair too?? Can you elaborate a bit on that too?

Thanks!!

This is very interesting. Thanks guys!!

I did the same thing, only with personal care products, Jestgar! I thought--no way am I going to care about this stuff, too....

I'm guilty of both: the kitchen and the personal products.

I think i've got the personal products all taken care of now. My next big project is replacing everything in my kitchen. My goal is to start my new year off with a completely gluten-free kitchen. Yippee!!

I have some similiar symtpoms: tired, hungry and blurred vision.

I too exercise daily. I sleep longer at night than you do though, usually 8-9 hours and more on the weekends. Like you, I have no idea what is causing these things...I started taking B-12 (the dots) and that has helped somewhat but i'm still not feeling great.

I thought maybe i'm getting cross contaminated so i'm in the process of replacing ALL my kitchen stuff with my goal being starting off the new year with a completely new gluten-free kitchen to see if that helps. But like you, I also wondered is this a depression thing??

Best of luck to you...if I learn anything i'll be sure to share it with you!

So....steveindenver....what are those yummy looking things you've created??? It looks like cupcakes???

I've tried New Grist and Bard's Tale...I smuggle it in from our neighboring state...Shhhh don't report me! HA! I think that they are both good but for some reason I like the New Grist better....

Lisa: I'm jealous...I wanna go on a road trip!!!!

Hope your blood work came out okay! Thinking of you!

If people keep asking and I really don't want to talk about it I just say, "my immune system attacks and destroys my internal organs." It's never failed to totally shut people up LOL.

GOOD ONE!!!

I like the molten acid coming out my butt comment too! TOO FUNNY!

Hey Nicole!

Here's the link (I hope it works) to the other thread where we've been sharing thoughts about Cocoa Puffs.

Open Original Shared Link