I was discussing this thread with my 80 yo Mum. She said back in the day people knew enough to response and it was on their own stationary. She was shocked the first time she received an invitation with a response card. Seemed like a slap in the face, like she wouldn't know enough to rsvp. But nowadays, it's hard to get anyone to rsvp to anything. So whatever works - email, response card, smoke signal. I do use the response card but always add my own handwritten comment. The handwritten notes & rsvp cards with comments were such a treat to open when I got married so I always pay it forward, so to speak. Some brides probably thing "whatever, how many will be attending?". I don't think of myself as very sentimental but I did save a few wedding invitations that I found special for various reasons. It still makes me happy to see them when I come across them. It seems sad to think that by the time my 4 yo niece will be marrying I might be informed by text.

Well, the only problem with Priceline is that if something unexpected happens, you are STUCK with the bill, and that is that. My friend booked via priceline in NYC for this past weekend--just the 2 of us were going. She ended up in the hospital but there was no way I could reach Priceline to explain my problem unless I had her credit card, ID,etc. I tried both phone and email. I was so frustrated!!! I called the hotel but they said only she could check in with her credit card and picture ID. Right before she went into surgery, she called the hotel directly and begged the manager to switch the reservation to me. He finally relented. I could not change my airline ticket either without a huge penalty, so my husband used miles (plus $80) and went with me at the last minute. The hotel was very convenient for our purposes--a Radisson with 3 stars for $95, which for midtown Manhattan seemed good. I don't think I will use Priceline again unless it is at the last second and I am positive I will use the reservations.

if your visit comes any time close to the weekend before Thanksgiving you will be in tourist time and paying a premium. the magnificant mile lighting parade is the weekend before and begins the high hotel costs. my sis has stayed off peak during Feb at a cheaper Embassy Suites near michigan ave for $200 a night. when i've stayed downtown i always stay near michigan ave to get to take my shopping haul back and not drag bags all over. i've never paid less than $300 during Nov-Dec period thou but i stay usually only 1 night, then go back to my place. you do need to watch for parking too. parking anywhere in a garage is going to run $30 for 12 hrs so if it's included in your room and you can avoid driving do that. i have had co-workers go to conventions in chicago, fly into Midway, stay at major hotel chains right on Cicero Ave, take the train into downtown (many hotels have free transportation to trains) and never need a car for their 3 day visit. it's a good cheap alternative. hope this helps ~ liz

I like the wood paneled game room, the movie theatre, and, of course, the gym! Love these laundry rooms where there are twin W&D. Our W&D are in the kitchen, and I’m dreaming of that new LG stackable system, though I would lose some counter and/or cabinet space. LOL, on an episode of House Hunters I saw this week, the man was enamored with a house that had a black toilet. The coldness of the bottom floor would be an issue for me. There are some larger homes here that are converted to professional offices like law and CPA offices,—not DH’s LOL. We normally have our women’s group holiday party at one of these offices. We’ve also been to arts fundraisers at some of the really large homes here.