I recently received an email from my sister's new in-laws. It wasn't so much an email as it was a bill. A bill for the recent bridal shower that I wasn't asked to help host or assist with in any way. I'm a single girl in NYC with debt up to her eyeballs, working a daygig to support my creative endeavors. The in-laws live down south where the pace is slower and expenses are lower. Please read below, won't you? Between the passive-aggressive and insinuating tone, the abuse of smiley-faces and exclamation points . . . the mind simply boggles.

Subject: Hello from Georgia!
Hey!
I hope you are doing well! Things in Georgia are fantastic...I'm back towork with summer school and enjoying the warm weather. I hope you are all rested from our festivities last week. I'm still trying to recover...too many late nights! Especially the evening of the wedding, I think mom, dad, Geoffrey and I were at the house cleaning up until after midnight! Overall, it was my favorite wedding I have been too...which is not a surprise because my brother knows how to throw a good party! :)

Well, mom finally had time to sit down and tally up the cost of the shower in Virginia and send me the final damage. We both owe her $105 for all the food and decorations. I still don't think she charged us for everything...it's expensive to feed that many people. I know the Alabama shower was about that much and we had half the people!! Mom also split it with us so it wasn't as bad as it could have been! :) I wrote her a check earlier this week for both of our shares so they could go ahead and deposit it...I know they spent a lot on the wedding, and although I'm sure they are fine without it.....I thought it might be nice for them to get a little back!!I'm pretty sure you have my address but here it is again....just incase!

It was great getting to know you a little better at the wedding. Marie comes from a very nice family! Take care and have a good weekend!!Kind regards, Janine