Stupid Ball, Stupid Dresses, Stupid Army

I'm pretty mad right now...

My husband is in the us army and has been for a while, so I am aware that we do have to go to formal occassions every once in a while. And a few times it has been fun.

But they are expensive! My husband has to have a formal uniform (thats tailored) with all his medals/ribbons/patches plus a bow tie and cumberbundt (sp?). And that means I have to wear a formal evening gown. Oh yes... this is no cocktail party mind you. Then you have to pay for your tickets (about $100 a couple!!!)

What is getting my hot under the collar about it this time, is that they told us in December there would be one in April and it was Optional. They changed the date a few times, but we haven't been paying attention, because we didn't want to go.

We just moved to Hawaii and its very expensive to live out here, also I havent got a job yet because of the economy. So were a little strapped for cash. We still get a date night every other week, but nothing to fancy, ya know.

Here's the kicker... They told us last Friday that the ball was changed to this upcomming Friday...no big deal right, cuz were not going... WRONG they're making it mandatory!!!!! My husband tried to express how very much we couldn't afford to go, and they told him, either he would be going as an Usher alone, or as a couple with me. Either way he still had to be there, fully dressed and paying $50 per person!

What jerks! I guess no one else really wanted to go either, so the "higher-ups" are forcing us all to go, spend money we dont want to, and a lot of it also!

The only silver lining to this tale is that we just so happened to get out yearly taxes done early so we have just barely enough to get everything we need.

Also can I just express how very hard it is to find a formal evening gown thats a plus size, which doesn't need alterations, looks good, plus accessories, and to top it off a hair and nails appointment ALL WITH IN THE SPACE OF A WEEK!

Damn Ball, Damn Dress, Damn Army!!!

(Thanks for letting me get that all out)

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10 replies since 8th February 2011 • Last reply 8th February 2011

Reply #1:

That sounds stupid- I had no idea that the military could force you to go to one of their military balls. How lame is that. I guess I would probably be all about saving money and re-wear or re-make one of my old dresses and skip getting my hair and nails done and do them myself. I'm all about economizing and no one pays attention to your nails anyway.

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Reply #2:

gasp! even so, it takes a while to refashion a dress. Hit up some 2nd hand stores. Do your own hair.

and yeah, they can make you go, it lame that you have to pay for it

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Reply #3:

oh dear im sorry D:
Luckily i still have my prom dress, which i can tailor a bit to fit me better so when these things occur ill be ready.

But at 100 a couple D: totally sucks

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Reply #4:

yeah! It does suck that its mandatory. But everyone at these things judges you by what you look like. And its super formal. I can do my hair kinda ok, but not for something like this! lol I've heard the things the higher ups or their wifes say in the ladies restroom! And they always tell us like a thousand time in emails and from is bosses and on the invitations that the date's apperance reflects onto the soldier, so if i look so-so then they think thats evquivilant to how much the soldier cares about his job/duties! And I only say that becuase its a direct quote from one of his bosses!!! what jerks huh!

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Reply #5:

Ok I think you are going to the same one my friend is going to on Friday Ko Olina lol. She went and grabbed a dress at Ross for like uber cheap. It looks real nice. Also check out Davids Bridal, they have an awesome selection of clearance rack stuff. I know these things suck I have done it too! I wouldn't worry so much about the higher ups at all. I did have my hair and makeup done but that was b/c was probably going to be a one time thing when I went. I did not worry about the nails, I just painted them on my own. Don't stress and think all of them are going to be so toasted out of their minds by the end of the thing no one will remember anything or really care lol. I say try to make the best of it and have a good time!

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Reply #6:

Honestly- if people seriously sat there and gossiped about what I looked like I'd probably laugh at them! How pathetic is it to care that much about what someone else looks like or what they wore? These women clearly need more sex in their lives if that's all they have to do with their time.

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Reply #7:

Ko Olina? is that the marriot in waikiki? cuz thats where i'll be lol.

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Reply #8:

Oh no lol different one then. Too funny b/c when there is a ball going on generally everyone knows about it! No Ko Olina is out west past Kapolei, very nice area. I hear the Marriot is very nice as well.

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Reply #9:

yes try david's bridal, also vintge shops. Maybe a friend can do your hair?

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Reply #10:

I did get a pretty nice dress at David's Bridal and it was $50 off, so I could afford to get a jacket too!

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