<p>NM-great for your D and I was/am the same. Please no functions!
Woody–sorry about your trees. As you might remember we have the 6,000 sq. ft house now as a viewpoint. H is talking more softly! I am beginning to walk around unclothed and they will move in soon–and then every light in the house will be on until 2 a.m. or maybe all night? the extra bill might be worth it. All I want at this point is that they put good window covering up and stop leaving their porch and bathroom lights on that shows into our bedroom! And they have not moved in yet!. So I am feeling territorial and intend to win. H is going to be surprised at how loud I can talk, and the TV and I think I will fall in love with loud rap. Sorry–guess your dead trees can’t be helped. We also, though, are looking into a move. If we can no longer have what we enjoyed then maybe there is something new out there for us.</p>
<p>arabrab–what did I miss about a push up bra? Fake flowers???
My problem is that I am grieving in my own way and it is not the way my sibs want.
But I am good and going to be true to myself.</p>
<p>Omg, arabrab…the last thing I’d want to take with me to the sweet hereafter is a push-up bra!
(note to self: leave instructions that specify no push-up bra, girdle, or spanx…)</p>
<p>As I recall, Oregon, the parade of neurosis that can be my sibs was somewhat heightened during my father’s funeral. That is precisely why single malt scotch was invented. I’d suggest something with a smooth, firey finish, such as glenmorangie.</p>
<p>Finished my book and I have to say I would NOT recommend it to anyone. Dark story about alcoholism and child neglect/abuse and family love or lack there of. It is a memoir and was very depressing.</p>
<p>We lose a few trees every years and it bothers me to lose their screening. We cleared our back yard several years ago to get rid of hundreds of Buckthorn trees. It was awful. They are very invasive. We planted some evergreens and hope they will thrive. I watch our very old oaks for oak wilt and I worry about the large ash tree in our front yard with all the warnings about the emerald ash borer around here.</p>
<p>We received a flyer about ordering a frame for D2’s diploma yesterday. We did buy one for D1 so will do the same for D2 but the choices are staggering! Who knew there were so many different options with coloring of the mat, different types of wood for the frame, the type of seal, framing the tassel or Honors medal with the diploma, and type of glass. The least expensive option was $135 and they went up to about $300.</p>
<p>Back today. Tried to catch up a bit on the posts but just really skimmed them. Knee surgery went well. Some stiffness but it really feels so much better without all that meniscus in there that I’m doing fairly well. Actually went up and down stairs like an adult --slowly but that is better than I’ve done since Oct. so it’s all good.</p>
<p>Bernie does look like a good movie and I like the actors in it.</p>
<p>RM,Glad you’re doing okay!</p>
<p>We bought S1 a very nice diploma frame but his framed diploma is still just sitting in our house (not his place)basically 4 years later. We told S2 we’ll either get him a frame now or wait until he’s ready for one(if ever) and we’ll get it then. He’s opting to wait.They are expensive. Which is fine though if you have a kid who really does want one and will actually use it. Can’t believe graduation for some of these kids is so close!</p>
<p>We had somewhat decided on a Mont Blanc pen for S for graduation from law school. However – they are expensive – we have now decided that we will give S some ideas and let him pick - briefcase of some sort, desk set, pen set, or something of that ilk. That means at least the money is going toward something he wants!</p>
<p>Sitting at my desk on a conference call with ice on my knee. Overall though it does feel so much better. I can do stairs now like an adult and not like a 3 year old which is how I have been doing them since Oct. I’m a big girl now !!! LOL</p>
<p>Hi RM, Sorry to hear about the knee, but good that it is feeling better. So the college year is winding down, and we never ran into each other at our Ds’ mutual alma mater. Mine (D2, first year) is away for short term, and won’t be back for graduation, so we’ll just have to meet up some other time, somewhere else. I hope your D has had a great senior year! Best wishes to her!</p>
<p>I can’t believe so many of our S/D’13 are graduating in a matter of days or weeks. Frankly, I’m a little jealous of those S/D who are taking some extra time and won’t be graduating yet. These years have flown by way too fast.</p>
<p>KMC - The get-together fell through. There were many, many cancellations and the final five of us just finally gave it up. There were three of us that were driving distance, but two were flying in.</p>
<p>Anyway, Missypie - good news on your daughter’s ACT score.</p>
<p>NM - How is your arm with the cookie-sheet burn?</p>
<p>Hey rochmom - have you made any dinner reservations for grad weekend?? Good lord, I really didn’t think of it and when I called around, we could either get 4:15 or 9:45. EEK!!</p>
<p>I overheard H say to someone on the phone that, “Woody forgot to make reservation.” Really???</p>
<p>D and roommates are having a big BBQ at their house after the grad ceremony but the other nights are up in the air. I think we’ll end up eating a couple of meals at a bar.</p>
<p>ararab…clearcut? too funny! maybe that will be my new handle on our yet-to-be-started post-grad thread??</p>
<p>Also D’s BF got an offer in Anchorage. Oh my! Where these engineering students end up!</p>
<p>I made hotel reservations nearly a year ago – though it turns out that I have one extra room – and dinner reservations for two nights a few months ago at different restaurants. The guests are 2 grandmothers, a sister, an uncle (to drive my mother) and a cousin (along with ShawWife and me)</p>
<p>Yes, shaw, the hotel reservations were made a year ago. None of these restaurants ever took reservations. I didn’t think the policy for grad weekend would have changed. Oh well…
It’s just the 4 of us. S is flying in from Beijing for the long weekend. Frankly, his being there is all that D wants for the weekend. We’ll be ok!</p>
<p>Missypie, I saw Bernie. I enjoyed the movie, but then felt bad when I reminded myself that it was a true story. But as fiction it was very entertaining. After I saw the movie I read several articles about the ‘real’ people involved, and if anything, it was even more bizarre in real life.</p>
<p>D left yesterday to go back to school after her visit home. It was nice to see her. When I said goodbye to her at the airport yesterday, we realized we’ll see each other again in exactly a month (from yesterday) when we arrive for her graduation. She has a bunch to get through before then, but it’s the final stretch!</p>
<p>She did end up missing the senior hoop rolling. It was supposed to be earlier, but was postponed due to rain.</p>
<p>She’s been frantically seeking a job. She claims she is “the only one” without a job, but when I ask her what specific friends’ plans are post graduation, she’s not the only one. She’s had a few interviews and is also a finalist for a fellowship position she really wants. Has submitted lots of resumes for lots of positions.</p>
<p>The weekend before she came home, I was at a luncheon and complimented my friend on her cute dress. She told me that a local department store was having an incredible sale – her dress was from a rack where everything was under $20. So after the luncheon I headed to the department store. I didn’t find one on that rack, but I found a gorgeous dress on a different rack that was reduced over 90%. I was concerned it might be too dressy for graduation, but it was such a great deal I couldn’t pass it up. I had attempted to look for photos of past graduations to see what parents wore, but could only find pictures of graduates and faculty in their robes. When D was home, she said graduation is very dressy, and she thought the dress was perfect. So, as long as it doesn’t rain, I’m set! Will bring something different to wear in case of rain, after my dry-clean only dress was ruined by rain at my graduation 30 years ago!</p>
<p>Can’t believe tomorrow is the month of May!</p>
<p>Wishing all with surgery, burns good healing.
I made hotel and dinner reservations many months ago, they wouldn’t do it on line but I called and they took the reservation. My mother and MIL are coming. Lord give me strength. MIL has alzheimers, My mom has a bad knee.
We lost a friend at work from cancer, it was tough. but have gone through a dark time.
Oregon you just do what you need to, I cant believe the selfish people built that house.
The get together did fall through , I finally cancelled but did lose some money on my ticket. maybe the next one can be in Boston?</p>
<p>Well hey, I believe Shaw has offered to make us all coffee, so you never know I am sorry you didn’t manage to get together though. Don’t feel quite as bad that I was busy sprucing up “the compound” as we’ve come to call it.</p>
<p>I realized last night as I was picking up before the cleaner’s imminent arrival today that when we bought this house I said we were downsizing for future retirement but in actual fact
we only “downsized” in terms of our “regular” living space (which is an optimized 1850 sf) but when one is trying to clean/organize the place its actually almost three times the space when you count the studio and pool house, not to mention the work the pool area etc gets in the constant combat against nature. So I will either be a busy retiree or will be stimulating the local economy a great deal with the whole “age in place” notion ;)</p>
<p>I believe that instead of saving for future grand children’s college, perhaps, should I be so lucky to have them, I should instead encourage them to become a landscaper, cleaner, pest control expert, handyman or pool tech </p>
<p>Contractor is coming this am to begin bid for the studio. I love this guy but he’s usually a little rich for my pocketbook. Eg. He’s a woodworking genius. But for my needs, I don’t need a genius. We’ll see how scary his quote is or isn’t, as the case may be, before I contemplate my guerrilla subcontracting crew that I used for the rehab ;)</p>
<p>Best wishes to RM (and NM) on the healing front, and to DTE and Oregon in the grief department. And woohoo to those ramping up for grad – ours begins Friday with the school of music followed by the main one in the big house Saturday. Quite unbelievable!</p>
<p>Mcson has one sat performance and exam today, and then is knuckling down to get a video done for a client of ours that will give him a decent chunk of money to make rent and whatnot as he begins his job search. He’s definitely starting to panic, but I’m not planning to think about all that until we’ve celebrated his survival of this leg of the journey :)</p>
<p>D is enjoying her last short term. Woody - we have reservations for Sat. night at a restaurant in Portland - Fore St. We are eating early - 5:30 but that works for us. For Friday night D was going to get reservations close to campus as she has an award ceremony that night. D has chosen not to go to the bachaloriate (sp? too lazy to look it up ) service on Sat. but will walk on Sunday. Sunday night we are planning on just going to a close Steak house. I should see if she has made reservations. Good point.</p>
<p>Good Morning to all! The burns on my arm are healing. I believe I will have a nice scar when all is done. So silly! </p>
<p>RM…so glad your knee is feeling good!</p>
<p>dte…sorry to hear about your work friend’s passing. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.</p>
<p>H’s 26 year old nephew graduates from college on 5/11 and our D2 on 5/25. We decided to cohost a family BBQ in between the dates for family to celebrate as we all can’t get in to the grad ceremonies. Should be interesting. D2 is happy that the attention won’t all be on her and that it can just be immediate family at her actual graduation. She,also, does not want to attend Baccalaureate services. On the actual graduation date we will go to dinner with D2 and her BF, D1 and her H. D2 and her BF then fly out to Vegas on Monday morning for a few days. </p>
<p>We are under a winter storm watch today. Can you believe it??? How depressing.</p>
<p>We are having beautiful spring weather here. </p>
<p>It is down to the wire. ShawSon was up all night for his 2nd night in a row after little sleep for the last 2 weeks. Predictably, he now as a cold. The thesis and a math problem set are due today. The way he does the math, he told me, is he gets together with another kid in the class who has done the reading and gone to class and explains the ideas and does the easy problems, which he helps ShawSon puzzle through. By then ShawSon has got it and he helps the other kid do the hard problems, on which the other kid, who is also a math major, is typically completely lost (this is a hard course conceptually but ShawSon told me he is lucky that he finds it intuitive).</p>
Overall though it does feel so much better. I can do stairs now like an adult and not like a 3 year old which is how I have been doing them since Oct. 
I am sorry you didn’t manage to get together though. Don’t feel quite as bad that I was busy sprucing up “the compound” as we’ve come to call it.</p>