Bridal Shower!

I forgot to post about this, but I thought I'd do it now.

The other day, I went to my first bridal shower! (It was Sydnee's of course!) Madeleine's mom and a friend from Sydnee's mom's Bible study had put it on. Though, I didn't know about it until about 2 days before! But anyways. It was a lot of fun, though Sydnee admitted that she didn't know half the people there and felt a bit awkward. (Again, it was full of ladies from her mom's Bible study.) I think she had a good time, though. I had some trouble thinking of what I should get her, but I ended up buying her two body butters from La Senza, and one body lotion (they had super cute names: "Heart Song," "Perfect Passion," and I think the last one was called "Sweet Embrace." Too perfect, right?), a gift card for La Senza (my coworker had suggested buying lingerie, but I think a gift card is a better idea!), and a gift certificate to get her nails done. She also got a lot of photo frames, a chip and dip platter, some jars for noodles and things like that, umm I'm trying to think what else... Yeah, those types of gifts.

It was so cute because the ladies also made her wear a hat made out of the bows from the gifts because it's tradition! Hehe. (Though, I've heard the tradition is to make a bouquet and have the bride carry it down the aisle on the day of the rehearsal. But this was funnier haha.) She didn't have to suffer toooo long, but it was a laugh nonetheless. ;) Then, we just had some snacks and cake. Oh, and also, Madeleine's mom read to us a list of what a good wife does... but it was written in the 50s! It was so funny! It had things like, "make sure you touch up your makeup before he gets home. Remember, he's just had a long day at work and would appreciate you looking your best!" and "when he gets home, take his shoes off for him!" In fact, let me see if I can find it online. Aha! Here it is! (Leigha, you're going to absolutely LOOOVE this.)

- Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have be thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they get home and the prospect of a good meal is part of the warm welcome needed.
- Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you'll be refreshed when he arrives.
- Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people.
- Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.
- Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives. Run a dustcloth over the tables.
- During the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. After all, catering to his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.
- Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum. Encourage the children to be quiet.
- Be happy to see him.
- Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.
- Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first - remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours.
- Don't greet him with complaints and problems.
- Don't complain if he's late for dinner or even if he stays out all night. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through at work.
- Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or lie him down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him.
- Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice.
- Don't ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment or integrity.
- Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.
- A good wife always knows her place.
-- Housekeeping Monthly, 13 May, 1955.

Crazy, huh? We had a good laugh about it. :)

We also did some bridesmaid scheming and I talked with Madeleine and Kiera about the bachelorette that we're planning. Sydnee doesn't know what we're doing, so it should be a lot of fun. ("Paintballing?" she asked, horrified, when we told her one of the suggestions that our waitress had given when we originally planned it over dinner a few weeks back was going to a shooting range.) So stay tuned for details of how that goes in a little while!