I know I'm an empty-nester because:

Parent Cafe
21

<p>I tried to make a sandwich and the bread was moldy. I’ve never had a loaf of bread last long enough to get moldy before.</p>

<p>Funny story. My husband just started working from home, so we’re turning the guest room into his office. DD (still home) asked if she could have the queen bed from the guest room, and get rid of her single bed. Garbage day, which was 4 days after DS left for frosh year at college, we put DD’s mattress by the curb with the garbage, and all our neighbors assumed it was DS’s bed and said, “Geez, their son hasn’t been gone a week and they’re already throwing away his bed?”</p>

22

<p>I stand in my S’s and D’s doorways, looking at how clean and neat their bedrooms are, how the beds are fresh and nicely made, how all the clothes are hung up, . . . and sigh.</p>

<p>

mythmom - exactly.</p>

23

<p>I’m getting reacquainted with the dog.</p>

<p>Her Chocolate Silk Milk has gone bad, and I don’t have to replace it, but can’t bear to throw it out.</p>

<p>All the preset car radio stations are news, public broadcasting, or Golden Oldies.</p>

24

<p>I have two more weeks to go before it’s official (his school starts very very late) but I’m getting nibbles. This Wednesday S2 leaves for his outdoor bonding trip; then Friday, S1 moves to DC for his grown-up job. So I’ll have a weekend without them. Then S2 is home again, then S2 leaves again. It’s a revolving door for the next few weeks.</p>

<p>I can’t wait. :)</p>

<p>I’m so sad. :(</p>

25

<p>–I make way too much food for 2 people, and I get to eat leftovers at work every day for lunch!</p>

<p>–her father has taken over her closet while we’re having a new one built in our room</p>

<p>–I can use the washing machine whenever I want, i.e. I don’t have to worry that anyone’s taking a shower at 4:30 p.m.!</p>

<p>–her car is parked out in front of the house and hasn’t moved in a week :(</p>

<p>–I carry on intellingent conversations with the cat just about every day</p>

26

<p>I’m am glad you are up to the cat’s demanding standards. (Please see winky face here.)</p>

27

<p>I have to move her car to get to the lawn mower, and the battery is dead.</p>

28

<p>I know how many people will be here for dinner!</p>

29

<p>The non-snoring spouse can use D’s bed as a refuge.</p>

30

<p>As the non snoring spouse, I think the snorer should be the one to move! Just because he wakes me with the snoring doesn’t mean I have to trek down the hall for some peace and quite!!</p>

31

<p>I hear ya snowball!</p>

32

<p>You know you are an emptynester when… the weekends feel really long because there is nothing you are required to do (like shlep kids around), and because you had time during the work week to do all the household chores that you used to have to do on the weekend! You know you’re an empty nester when you walk around the grocery store with your shopping basket on your arm, instead of pushing a cart in front of you, because all you have in it are 3 bananas, a loaf of bread (which you plan on freezing and defrosting slice by slice), a quart of milk and some frozen dinners.</p>

33

<p>SB: but if you wake the non-snoring spouse, that means both of you have your sleep interrupted.</p>

<p>(signed) The NSS</p>

34

<p>It’s spooky quiet. Nobody stomping around, proclaiming that they <em>are</em> walking quietly. No muffled tv voices. No distant music seeping under the door. No eerie singing along to music I can’t hear (Ipod). It’s like when the hero in a movie says ‘it’s quiet…too quiet.’ I keep wondering what she’s up to 'cause usually there’s something going on when you can’t hear any of the usual noises. Then I remember that she’s not here. </p>

<p>I miss her.</p>

35

<p>My bedroom door is always open.</p>

36

<p>Aww, this thread makes me wonder what will happen to my parents once I go off in a couple of years. Well, at least my energetic bro will keep their hands full…</p>

37

<p>I have complete control over the car radio!</p>

<p>(I have <em>almost</em> broken my son’s fingers a couple of times, but it doesn’t seem to deter him.)</p>

38

<p>This is going to be the third year of empty nest for us. I now have a permanent indentation on my hip from carrying around my cell phone day and night Just in Case he calls…I don’t want to miss hearing his voice.
We still miss him around here, it’s hard when you only have one.</p>

39

<p>I was glad when the oldest moved in with his girlfriend, even far away, so I “got” a new kid. Well, I mean, SHE"s the new kid, they don’t HAVE a new kid. Yet. Oh my.</p>

40

<p>I know I’m an empty nester -
I can reprogram the TiVo to my shows and they don’t get bumped. </p>

<p>I am only doing 3 loads of laundry today, for a full weeks worth, and one load is half size. </p>

<p>I found the flat rate box. Until the last one left I did not have time to fill and send boxes.</p>