Cathy Classics by Cathy Guisewite for January 12, 2016

For once it’s Cathy’s plan which is sane.

Does anyone really shell out for even a hair and makeup ‘makeover’ for the bridesmaids?

This is crazy! When my sister got married there wasn’t a lot of money to go around and we didn’t expect much. She bought my dress and shoes, I don’t wear much makeup and did my own. I didn’t even get my nails done but I think I put on my own fake nails – I can’t remember because that stuff wasn’t important. I just wanted her to be happy.

Hi Cathy friends! Good to “see” you lightenup, so happy for your mom!

Whaaat?? That’s crazy. First of all, if they are my bridesmaids, then they are my friends and we all are fine with how we all look. Why in the heck would I pay way-too-much money for all of that? The only thing on the list that I have done before is a facial. So, maybe for a fun bachelorette party, you could do a spa day and get facials. The rest of it, forget it..Hello Cathy friends!!Thanks, Sis!! I’m happy to be back! My mom is good. Her new assisted living place is really nice, much larger than the last one. So my sister was able to fit more of her furniture in it and it looks like a slice of home. :-) Thanks for asking! How are you doing this new year?Grimma – I did pay for my bridesmaids’ (3) hair and make up to be done for my wedding. Everyone chose the style they wanted and it was nice for them to not have worry about doing it themselves (plus a little pampering and girl-time was fun). Depending on where you go, it doesn’t have to be expensive.

OK, my list….a good “face lift” cream, teeth whitener kit, salon hair do, home hair wax removal, lip plumper cream, instant tan cream, facial and a trip to Bath and Body works.

I’m not sure my bridesmaid got anything. Well – apart from the Best Man. She married him at the end of the year.

When I got married 27 years ago, I had two attendants: my sister was my maid of honor and my soon-to-be step-daughter was the bridesmaid. I bought both their dresses, shoes and bouquets. I also paid for all of us to go to the salon to have our hair done and my best friend did our make- up and fingernails. That was it. When my sister got married about 10 years later, it was a much simpler, less-expensive affair that they threw together in only about two week’s time. I was her only attendant and I did my own hair, make-up and nails. As for my dress, she told me to just pick something out of my closet so I chose the nicest one I had. Sadly the marriage didn’t last but a couple of years, which was too bad because I really liked my brother-in-law.

Hi, rgcviper! :-)

hendelca: How is your sister doing? Better I hope!!!

GrimmaTheNome: Yes! Who wouldn’t want their bridesmaids looking their best for the bride (and groom’s) big day?!? ;-)

lightenup: Glad to hear your mom is doing well and that things are feeling a little more like “home” to her these days! Things are going so-so for me so far this year. Hating the snow and cold weather we always get here in January and wishing I lived farther south where the winters aren’t quite so harsh but what can I do?I live in Indiana and it is what it is. Still limping around on my right ankle a little bit every now and then from that misstep I took last September but it’s mostly better. The shock from witnessing my Godmother’s passing the day after Thanksgiving is finally sub-siding and my nephew has improved somewhat since his stroke the last day of November. Not sure how much since we haven’t been able to get down to see him yet and phone calls from my sister-in-law are extremely sparse, but when my brother-in-law (who’s in the beginning stages of dementia) is lucid, things sound like they’re slowly getting better. When it’s time for rehab, it’ll take months, if not years, to do and even then, we’re not sure he’ll ever get completely back to the way he was but if anyone can do it, it’s him! But it’s just so hard to tell right now — and from so far away too. How about you? How have things been for you and YOUR family so far this year?

Hello and Happy Tuesday, fellow Cathy fans. Hope everyonehad a really nice day today! :-)

I got earrings when I was a bridesmaid. Did my own hair, makeup and nails.

Continuing the list in panel 2 …

[Eye-roll]: Priceless

HI, MOM. Hello, Clan.

lightenup…..So glad to hear your Mom is doing better and getting more comfortable.Mom…..thanks for the update on your recent events. Glad to see your nephew is going to live and has the possibility of at least some rehab. I got married the first time back in the days when the bridesmaids got a small gift, did their own hair, nails, etc and also paid for their own dresses (which I chose off the rack and managed to get them on sale). Second marriage there were no bridesmaids…and it went much better.

Well…. I guess I tend to think of ‘bridesmaids’ as being girls and young women, who will look their best without much artifice. And older women generally know what suits them and can sort out their own makeup.

I think my daughter, and anyone she’s likely to be friends with, would run a mile from beauticians!