Showering Advice

I went to two showers on Saturday.  The first was for my sister Julie, the second was for my cousin Karma Sue.  I lived with her family my junior year of high school and she is named after her father's sister Karma and her mother's sister Susan.  I was in charge of the food for Julie's, and it all tasted really great.  Whew.  We had a lovely time and I met two of Julie's future SILs.  They were really nice and I hope to get to know them better in the future.
     At Karma Sue's shower everyone was supposed to tell a memory or give advice when she opened your present.  I was writing it all down for her and it helped me remeber the best pieces of advice.  The one I remember most was from a woman whose husband has cancer.  She said that you should make your spouse your best friend so that when you are apart you ache and when you are together you want to hold hands.  She also told us the three rules to fighting.
1.  Fight fair
2.  Fight alone (not in public)
3.  Fight naked so that you either laugh or make up really quickly.
     She said this advice was given to her at her wedding shower 30 years ago by a 70-year-old woman.  Yikes!
     I told her to continue to date and woo each other.  My mother said that every disagreement you will have is because of expectations or assumptions.  Boy, is that true.  Her future MIL told stories about her fiance, Tallon.  He is a pilot and Karma Sue is an English teacher at Wasatch High.  She said that she needed to give him lots of hugs and kisses because he may act tough, but he really is a softy and needs to feel loved.  I love that about him.  We met him at her brother's wedding in December and he is such a fantastic guy.  His mother also said that he is really loyal and he must really love her or they wouldn't be getting married.  She said it in such a funny way that it didn't sound like a back handed compliment.
     My mother's cousin Rebecca told Karma Sue to never settle for mediocre food.  She also told her to learn to like cooking because you will do it for other people for the rest of your life.  Rebecca is an amazing cook and she is always motivated to be doing something worthwhile.
     Her mother, Liz, told her some advice given to her by her father, my grandfather who passed away over 20 years ago.  She said when raising your children you should only say no unless it is absolutely necessary.  Saying no because it will be more effort for you is just being lazy and is not a good reason to say no.  I needed that advice.
     Julie told her to not sweat the small stuff and to remember the end result.  Advice I also needed.  I am so excited about the weddings.  I have two cousins getting married on the 7th of April and then Julie is getting married to Mark on the 20th.  I finally found a dress for Julie's wedding.  I am debating weather to wear that one to the ceremony and my new black one to the reception with some beautiful yellow jewelry I made.  Trent says it looks like butter scotch and a neighbor said it looks like elk teeth.  Which ever one it looks like, I got more compliments on it that anything I have ever made before.  I love it and I think it is the best work I have done.  I can't wear the jewelry with the yellow dress because it wouldn't match.  Decisions, decisions.
   My schedule for Easter is busy.  Trent doesn't have the time off like a normsl teacher would, so I will be travelling with the kids up to my mother's house on Wednessday.  I will help her with wedding plans.  On Saturday I will attend Karma Sue's sealing then luncheon.  Then we'll travel up to SLC for Brett's reception.  After that we'll speed down to Utah County for Karma Sue's reception.  Brett's luncheon is at the same time as Karma Sue's sealing and I can't be in both places at once.  I wish I could go to both, but I will have to do what is most economical.  Missing lunch at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building is not to be taken lightly.  Oh, well.  The kids wouldn't have behaved anyway.
     Now for the shameless request.  I will need a Utah County babysitter for Karma Sue's sealing and for Julie's sealing later that month.  Any takers?  If not that is fine, I will just figure out something else.  Maybe a cousin at the temple or something for Julie's since the kids need to be there for pictures afterward?  There is a park across the street for Timp temple that you could play at.  I remember because I had a first kiss with an artist there.  Good times.  Anyway, it will all work out. 
     Now, the best advice I have received lately is from the movie, I Hate Valentine's Day.  Close your eyes for about 30 seconds int he middle, but other than that it it is great.  It is by the same actress as My Big Fat Greek Wedding.  She really knows her stuff.  I think all men need to be forced to sit down and watch this movie.  It will help then understand women in a way they never have before.  Do any of you have good relationship advice or movie suggestions for the nearly married or nearly divorced?