<p>^that is a sweet image. </p>
<p>Its so interesting how each of us deals with our kids rooms. my s left his room spotless, I marvel at his neatness, my d left her room, well, lets just say she inherited my “creative” gene…and then some. 
I need to pick up her room a bit but haven’t had the energy yet…mostly the emotional energy. may wait til she comes home for a visit before I try to clear anything out.</p>
<p>When we were trying to get teachers to at least respect the fact that our oldest daughter had been diagnosed with ADD (inattentive type) and that we would like her to 1) sit in front and 2) get a syllabus for her classes (as if these were over the top requests), the school nurse who was in charge of 504’s said to my 16 year old daughter (and I will never forget it as long as I live), “But youre so pretty and charming. You wouldn’t want your teachers to think your disabled would you?” She was never allowed in another meeting about, let alone with my daughter. Some people are idiots… and sometimes they are just jealous. I think in general chemistry teachers are always frustrated wannabe doctors. Probably so not true, but I’ve never met a really spunky, happy chemistry teacher.</p>
<p>I’ve changed the sheets and made the bed in son’s room. Thats it. He now wants me to send him his retainer. How’d he even forget it??</p>
<p>ha ha…I did it cleaning! I turned and the knee didn’t! Maye I can convince H I shouldn’t clean ever again!!! I can only hope!;)</p>
<p>Modadunn – unreal.</p>
<p>NM – clearly, cleaning is hazardous to your health … careful there!</p>
<p>^^^ Ha! I knew cleaning was dangerous! I plan to stop immediately – can’t be too careful at my age. :)</p>
<p>I’m hearing from my son most every day. He’s not calling to fill me in on what’s happening or because he’s desperate to chat (his text after the bonding/backpacking trip was “Trip was good”). Rather, we’re working out the logistics of getting audio version of books. He’s tired from doing the reading from his texts and wants to listen. The school will get him the audio versions now that they know his classes, but we’re working on filling the gap until they do. Also, I’m a good web shopper and he wanted to see if I could get a better deal on his textbooks. Answer: mostly yes. In the interstices of the conversation, I’m hearing about the extra-curricular activities that he is trying out – ultimate frisbee, debate – but it is mostly logistics. These calls will drop away once the logistics are worked out, but in the interim, I’m pleased to field the calls even if it means that things aren’t perfect.</p>
<p>Shawbridge – Glad to hear your S is settling in well. Believe me, be glad he is sharing the little glitches. It’s good problem-solving on his part to recognize the need and to work on soilutions, even if it means touching base with the 'rents for feedback.</p>
<p>It’s the blithe “everything’s fine” that raises my hackles. Been there, heard that. It doesn’t bode well.</p>
<p>Time to stop cleaning…oh wait, I rarely do it anyway.</p>
<p>One thing I forgot to share that we found out about when Son came home over the weekend: He has not unmade his bed. We sent him with his favorite down comforter and a very soft cover and he has been sleeping on top of the bed under the comforter. Hmmm…whatever…</p>
<p>Sorry about the miniscus, my friend just had surgery to repair her torn one, went pretty smooth, just had to keep up on her pain meds and then do PT . not fun for sure, That cleaning thing see LEADS to no good end!</p>
<p>Missypie, my D used to do the same thing to avoid messing up the bed. It took a rather long discourse on laundry: we change the sheets every week so they’re clean. Are we going to send the comforter to the drycleaners every week? Does that make sense? (and must I always use rhetorical arguments to make my point?) But it was quite awhile before I caught on in the first place. :-)</p>
<p>So great to read thru and see how everyone is doing!! Positive thoughts to all the kids…</p>
<p>eggmom–precious image of your son napping with old blanket! I was on a plane this weekend and talking to a couple who were returning from a wedding – apparently best man pulled out groom’s ‘blankey’ to show the crowd (he still slept w/it!) – and noted that groom would now have a better ‘security item’ to sleep with!</p>
<p>NM, I am once again convinced of the evils and dangers of house cleaning. I shall live healthfully (and with the dust bunnies) instead!</p>
<p>I get the Send me my boots texts!! And then I ask, so did you get the shoes from target yet? </p>
<p>Oh yeah, they are sooo cute!!</p>
<p>Anyway, my Ds sleep on the comforter with a light blanket. Guess some dorms are really hot. </p>
<p>Last night I made sleeves for my Ds laptops!! I am very clever. Designed them myself and they are simple, clean but with the great material. Customized to Ds taste. Very simple and it stops me from cleaning and organizing, as that will never get done.</p>
<p>Older D got an amazing internship for a news show!!! Freshman joined a club that combines fashion and charity. Pefect.</p>
<p>Today I will finish spray painting some wicker furniture and tonight make the new curtains for Ds bedroom. </p>
<p>Frreshman D says she is doing homework during day, so she can exercise, do ECs etc in evening. She ordered some text books online, so inthe meantime, is using text books at library, so that got her into that mode of studying in library. She found if she went back to dorm it was too distracting.</p>
<p>whoa! This knee thing is something. H just called to say he would do grocery shopping when he came home from work tonight! He is great at doing laundry, washing windows or sweepring the floors but he NEVER shops or cooks. After 30 years of marriage I may just keep him! ;)</p>
<p>One of our dogs died last week. He was 16.</p>
<p>Today I got a condolence card from the vet. Inside, along with a very nice note, was his paw print. OMG. SO sweet Just want to cry all over again.</p>
<p>I’m so sorry, ilovetoquilt22. Even when you know it’s their time to go, it doesn’t make it any easier.</p>
<p>ilovetoquilt - I’m so sorry to hear about your dog. </p>
<p>Haven’t heard much from son. I’m ready to crack and call him. I will be seeing him in two weeks for Parent Weekend, though.</p>
<p>Funny how much cleaning and cooking I’ve been doing lately. And going to movies. The empty nest isn’t so bad!</p>
<p>I’m not getting much in the way of phone calls, but since she was home for Labor Day I don’t expect to hear from her more than the agreed-upon Sunday call (but I’m sure she’ll call for my birthday tomorrow because she’s nice). But I’ve been having good luck with emails. I usually have something fun in my inbox every couple of days, so I’ll forward the joke/cartoon/article to her. She seems to like that and it opens up the door for a little exchange of what she’s up to. Otherwise, my impulse is to bombard her with lots of questions, and I know that makes her clam up. I find I can deal without hearing her as long as I get my emails.</p>
<p>bblfraser, I’ll do the same thing…send jokes, etc. Yesterday I sent him the link to the list of Best 20 Animated Films.</p>
<p>With the anniversary of the Lehman Brothers collapse upon us, it made me reflect upon all that we have all gone through in the last 12 months…HUGE financial collapse, presidential election, the college application/admission/selection process, graduation, launch. Others of you have had even more on your plates. We really all do deserve a vacation at the luxury destination of our choice, just for surviving it all.</p>
<p>I really really really don’t want to observe the anniversary of every moment in the economic collapse…last night I was thinking of Mark Levy’s death (reknowned appelate lawyer who shot himself after being laid off) and was almost getting teary and I didn’t know the man at all. And of course with that said, I have to pause and remember the families of the 9/11 victims who have to live with the TV stations showing that footage again and again every year.</p>