<p>Another one goes!! Missypie has said before that she usually doesn’t post too much on the weekends but hopefully she’ll bop her head in here at some point today. I am definitely curious how things went!</p>
<p>Good luck IMHopeful, although you won’t get this now that you’re off to the airport. </p>
<p>I just got our reminder confirmations and had thought I booked our flights for 8:30am, but now I see it was 6:30am!! UGH. We get in about noon, but I can only hope our flights and connections go smoothly or this is going to be one cranky move-in. </p>
<p>And sharonohio? Any info on those space bags? I would think that it wouldn’t do anything to pillows or comforter that some major fluffing wouldn’t take care of seeing as we’re talking only air. I know that I was told to fluff my down comforter on my bed before I went to bed every night to plump up the loft as the air would help it keep me warmer at night. Not sure how that might apply to other materials thought. </p>
<p>In looking through Son’s closet last night I am thinking these bag things are going to be huge help just in terms of getting stuff in the duffel. Still… not sure that air contributes to weight and if more will actually just push me over the $50.</p>
<p>chinzy–awesome analogy – it does feel like a battle (of emotions!) when you are heading out in ‘the field.’ I think I’m still recuperating in the sick bay, with a moderate case of shell-shock. </p>
<p>Best wishes to those going forward, and those of us adjusting at home!!</p>
<p>Chintzy–great analogy–I thinks it’s “none the worse for wear?” but could be wrong. Ilovetoquilt, I’m glad you “let it out” - not fun but healthy.</p>
<p>So is it weird that I have joined Facebok and spent last night finding ou how many of DH’s and my college friends are on it? Am I late or something? It was amazing–connected with a couple of them. I’m sure there’s something Freudian about wanting to re-live some experiences my children are starting to have…</p>
<p>SJTH… same here with the facebook thing. It’s amazing the people I’ve re-connected with from all stages of my life. What I’ve noticed however is that I get a little nervous to think current friends (who know nothing about antics in HS and college) are now privy to see some pretty ridiculous photos. THe other thing is, that longer ago the friendships the more you hope that someone puts up some pics from then just so you can remember who everyone was. Believe me, the hair and waistlines are amazing!</p>
<p>D2 has come and gone. Left at 8 this morning to start the big drive back to school. It was a wonderful visit even though we had little time with her alone. She certainy was busy! Went to visit on Friday night with her best friend who is also at school already for soccer and then spent all day with boyfriend on Saturday. There were tears but quiet, resigned tears about going back. She says she is making friends, has a wonderful apartment, likes the coach but is missing home. Tried to explain it will get better. sigh…</p>
<p>Had a wonderful dinner out last night with S, his two best friends and their families. Our lives have been intertwined for 11 years and we’ve all come to think of each other’s sons as our own, too. </p>
<p>We’ll be leaving later this week, and I’m excited at the prospect of meeting some of the CC parents!</p>
<p>It has been ages since I posted here. I’ve read the recent posts and it’s nice to know I’m not alone in launching. </p>
<p>S leaves in two days. I feel so restless. I don’t want to stray far from home yet there isn’t that much to do here. He’s upstairs packing and I’m trying to stay out of his way. I just don’t know what to do with myself!</p>
<p>I’ve been lurking on this forum the last few weeks and finally feel ready to post. I’m headed off with D in a few hours for a goodbye picnic for her friends as they all start leaving this coming week. We have a full week of shopping and packing ahead of us, then get on an airplane to take her 2000 miles away for college on Saturday. I have mixed emotions like so many of you and find that big lump in my throat harder and harder to choke down. Wishing all of you the best as you go through the transition too.</p>
<p>I’m sorry I have nothing to report on the spacebags. We compressed one yesterday with all the bedding and some of D’s jeans but how bad the wrinkles will be is anyone’s guess. I still need to fill the other one with the rest of her clothes. Yes you heard me right. All the clothes will fit in one of those spacebags (we’re still bringing a few things like winter sweaters when we go for parents weekend in October). I was so worried that I wouldn’t have enough room in the car but its looking really good. Need to fill the second spacebag and then load the car. Leaving by 10am tomorrow.</p>
<p>Have to cook a pot of chili for H too since he’s here by himself until Thursday when he flies to Richmond to meet me.</p>
<p>OK… I am just going to admit this… I never leave food for my H when I leave town. I did it one time early in our marriage and he didn’t eat it. So… um… he starves or he feeds himself. Since he is still alive and kicking, I assume he feeds himself. My FIL? If my MIL goes first, he’s a dead man.</p>
<p>I don’t leave much food for my H when I’m away either (which isn’t often). I like him to be aware that food prep is time-consuming and labor intensive. I try to leave some nuke-able leftovers, but “new” food has to wait until he’s had time to contemplate the gravity of my absence.</p>
<p>I don’t leave food on purpose, either (maybe leftovers)… somehow everyone gets fed.</p>
<p>We are sitting in the Denver airport, having said goodbye to our older daughter. I know she is a college grad, starting grad school, but she’s very tiny and young looking for her age. It was so poignant to leave her as we three (H, D2 and I) drove away. She blinked back tears, but I couldn’t – especially as we will say goodbye to her sister, D2, this Thursday.</p>
<p>I know what you all mean about the little things triggering tears and lumps in the throat – Every time D2 sees me tearing up, she reaches over to squeeze my hand (3 squeezes = “I love you”). While this is intended to comfort, it makes me even more weepy…</p>
<p>Hope we hear from Missypie before the weekend is over too!</p>
<p>Reporting in from the front! Eggson is successfully launched and the Eggnest is officially empty.</p>
<p>I just wrote a long version of our weekend, which disappeared when the laptop burped. </p>
<p>Here are the highlights: There were tears (me), there were nerves all around, DS even asked us to stay for dinner in the dining hall… something we never expected. But by the time we left, DS was getting his routine lined up, seemed to “understand” his roommate, had arranged a meeting with advisor and was back to his eye-rollig, sooo cool self. </p>
<p>I am very optimistic. And, boy, is this house quiet.</p>
<p>Oh, and DH is leaving town for 5 days tomorrow. Before he goes, he is grilling several chicken breasts and a pork tenderloin for me. He’s a great cook and I appreciate the meals he prepares for me when he has to travel.</p>
<p>Just back from helping D move in for her senior year. Very fortunately, S1 had the opportunity to poke around his dorm and even get into his room for a bit. He seems a little more enthusiastic now.</p>
<p>Zetesis, I sure do know what you mean. It’s a different kind of sadness re-launching the older ones - less sharp but more poignant, maybe. The 7 yo had a funny/sad way of expressing it last night: “I hate it when it’s time to put sis back.” </p>
<p>Anyway, we’re down to one week for S1. And we’re down a car - I guess I’ll be driving him to work this week. </p>
<p>Pack & Hold worked like a charm again, and BB&B accepted all fifteen (!) of our saved up coupons, twelve of which were expired. My one potentially helpful thought for those of you still waiting to launch (which includes me): Don’t forget light bulbs for lamps. Some come with them and some don’t.</p>
<p>Congratulations on the successful launch of Eggson, and yes, I’m hoping we hear from missypie.</p>
<p>The chili is a treat for my H since I’m not really fond of it. This way he eats it when I’m not around which is just fine with me. And since the recipe takes about 10 mins to prep (3 hours to cook) I really don’t mind making it.</p>
<p>Those space bags are really amazing at least in terms of what they hold. The one with the clothing is considerably heavier than the one with the bedding and wasn’t compressed quite so much (hopefully won’t be wrinkled quite so much). I did decide not to put the bras in there because … well I’ll leave it to your imagination. The bulkiest thing by far are the shoes which are filling a small carry on bag which D will use for Thanksgiving trip home.</p>
<p>All the launchings seem to be going well. Hopefully mine will as well. Probably won’t check in until a week from Monday.</p>
<p>Congrats eggmom and Harriet also on getting one through to senior year! Sharonohio–we’ll be wishing you well on the journey. </p>
<p>I don’t often leave town alone, but when I do it’s pretty rare for me to leave food. I may toss something in a crockpot before I go the first day, but after that the family is on their own. I think they come to appreciate my meals a bit more. Speaking of meals, DD has come up with a list of favorites for the week. This weekend included fresh salsa and grilled chicken. </p>
<p>I’ve been thinking about this all day. If we get a cooler day I plan a quiet walk in our woods alone. It’s always a good place for me to think quietly, and I’ll be able to get some of my tears out alone. DD has spent part of her day cleaning her room.</p>
<p>Congrats also, eggmom and Harriet on the launches (first time and senior)!</p>
<p>It does get a bit better with time. It’s been a week since son left (oldest) and it’s somewhat less painful, though I still have the weepy moments.</p>
<p>Just talked to him via video call on Skype. It was awesome!! I highly recommend it! 100% better than a phonecall. Seeing him (tired, droopy-eyed, but still glad to talk – especially to see 7 yo sis and puppy!) was a huge treat. Somehow makes you feel like they really will be okay.</p>
<p>Just skyped both Ds. Can’t believe I never did this before! Set it up this evening and both girls were laughing so hard that their dorky parents were so tech savvy! ha ha! It was so good to see D1 as I haven’t seen her since the middle of June. What a great way to stay in touch!</p>