<p>Yikes, TheAnalyist. We shouldn’t have to go through the pockets when it’s grown up laundry! One time I was going to do one more quick load of laundry before we left on vacation. The chocolate in someone’s pocket survived the washer just fine, but you can imagine what happened in the warm dryer!</p>
<p>I gave him a call and he is accepting full blame. I do always check my own pockets and those of the kids, but I have stopped checking H’s pockets. He just doesn’t make that kind of mistake but was in a hurry. He is the same size as S1 so he can go raid his closet and probably will look fine although violate the dressing young rules. S1 has a stat test tomorrow and was given a bunch of work to do tonight as he left the office, so he isn’t in a good mood at the moment either. I think chocolate is just what we need, with maybe a wine kicker.</p>
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<p>It also makes the dryer smell really good.</p>
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Yeh, what’s up with this???</p>
<p>Never heard of Cove Uggs, so had to look them up online. Don’t have Uggs; neither does D. They became all the rage when she was in HS – which immediately caused her to say she didn’t want a pair. That’s also what she said about the Lily Pulitzer dresses – she didn’t want one if that’s what all the girls were wearing.</p>
<p>I do have a pair of Crocs – the Mary Jane style. The originals don’t fit my feet all that well. Also, a number of years ago I determined that I don’t have Birkenstock feet. My feet aren’t weird in any way, but the Birks just weren’t comfortable. My latest purchase is a pair of Privos (by Clarks).</p>
<p>Just finished baking 12 dozen chocolate chip cookies to be sent as part of a large holiday shipment to a platoon in Afghanistan. There’s a group of women in my town who participate in the Adopt-A-Platoon program. We send out stuff about every 6 weeks. We have a blast putting the mailings together – and they’re always appreciated on the other end. It’s the least we can do for what all of them are doing. Anyway, at the moment it smells pretty heavenly around here!</p>
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<p>CBB-That’s awesome!</p>
<p>I’m still working on my Christmas cards and hope to finish tomorrow, at least that’s my goal. I got a card today from friends we haven’t heard from in several years and that made my day.</p>
<p>Missypie - I can see exactly what you are talking about with the gifts. If Zim Mom’s student was at this college, she wouldn’t even get the letter in time. But perhaps parents of the international students were e-mailed or something. DD hasn’t even said that there are any international students on her floor. I believe alot of them are in the same dorm because they got to the college earlier than everyone else, but I could be wrong about this. This letter must have been mailed over Thanksgiving because we got it on Monday (once the students were back in school). It does say in the letter to contact the RA if there is a “problem” with the gift idea. I almost thought about putting a little money in there for the RA to use to purchase a gift or two if parents were not able to. But I ended up not doing it. A little tight with the cash this time of year. The RA asked for a “small gift - nothing extravagant”.</p>
<p>Maybe the RA will keep track of who receives a gift and who doesn’t and will make sure the no one is left out by getting them a token gift.</p>
<p>Probably not, but that is what I would most likely do if I was an RA.</p>
<p>I think the problem with this picture is the RA had this lovely idea, but she is a kid, so she may not anticipate the possible glitches that are obvious to us parents. hopefully, we are wrong and either every parent will send a gift ASAP or the RA is wise beyond her years and has a back-up plan.</p>
<p>While I think the Christmas party is a nice idea, I would have a couple of hesitations. Like… it doesn’t really account for kids who don’t do the Christmas thing or like Missy said, there’s bound to be at least one parent who for one reason or another cannot participate. So, I have to wonder if there is a little RA budget to help fund this party (and maybe cover a forgetful few). BUT~! This all said, the intentions are good and I do think it’s important for kids to be able to see the bigger picture and for people to not always have to always be worried about PC behavior or whatever. As long as it’s inclusive in a general sense, life doesn’t always have to be fair. Hopefully, no one is sending their kid diamond earrings or something from their trip to Paris. And again, I think it’s always easier with girls than with guys. </p>
<p>Son did not make it to the post office - no surprise there and is why I knew it was good that the whoopie pie had a reasonable shelf life to account for procrastination. They do send kids emails to tell them they have packages (which he got the email today for the package that arrived yesterday and he will pick it up tomorrow - whatever). But here’s where I was even more irrelevant: He was in no need of extra sweets since two girls made him cakes. And yes, that was plural. He had two different girls who each make him a cake for his birthday. Two cakes - one kid. Seems really unfair to me, especially because, as you know, he barely deserves ONE cake! And too, there are probably kids who no one is baking cakes for. Just to keep S somewhat grounded I told him that whomever was baking the cakes was probably just as interested in some other guy in his suite because really, it’s like killing six birds with one cake and the original recipient is probably less important than the group points. Not sure he appreciated my take on the matter, but I felt a little dose of skepticism is probably healthier than an inflated ego.</p>
<p>Modadunn -I brought S his favorite b-day cake during Parents’ Weekend which coincided with his actual b-day. He awkwardly accepted it saying “the girls’ are making some cakes.” Oh well… He told me the cake I gave him was eaten later in the week during a poker game.</p>
<p>I also have dansco clogs, and clarks anything comfy! Thanks ladies for having my back, I showed my H wonder what else I can ask for hmmm kid in college, private Hs-NOT much but my 50th yes i’ll admit it is this month. We would really like to go away when all this is said and done.
I sent the whoopie pies, and extra for the floor we will see how it turns out.
I am almost begining to thik the bus is real. wouldnt it be fun!
The one thing my kids tell me I cant do is when we go to concerts MIND YOU I PAY, I’m not allowed to dance etc… and trust me i am not a WILD woman. I am getting over that
and think Iwill enjoy myself. Actually since going to the Black eyed peas I am part of the hip hop community THEY said so LOL.
I bought snuggies this year for my kids and my mom, sister and SIL zebra and leopard , my shopping is cyber. i dont want one too many (sorry guys) Hot flashes. But I am getting UGGS. !!!11</p>
<p>“…for super comfy dress shoes and sandals I can rarely beat Dansko (if you haven’t tried em, you should!), used to be in love with Naots (styles changing lately) and most recently a fan of a cute pair of clark’s bootlet.”</p>
<p>Thanks for the tip. I did some quick googling just now. So those cute shoes I was admiring on someone at choir practice tonight are Naots. Aha. Now I know!</p>
<p>I am starting to allow myself to get excited about the winter holiday and Christmas. I have not really been this excited about Christmas since S was a tiny tot and I could not wait to see it through his eyes. Well it is not exactly the same, but still, I think he will see the holidays through slightly different eyse himself. I think it will feel bittersweet to him (and us) but I am eager for it.
I am giving him mainly money for his gift. We got a Wii - but that is not for going back to school - it is more of a family present (he wanted one all through HS but we did not have a TV that would accommodate one - that TV finally died and yes we can be quite Scotch - actually I AM Scottish) and we have a new beast that will deal with Wii. Could be some fun family time (bought an extra control) But mainly I got him some white chocolate - and yes I know it is not chocolate) his fave, and an iTunes gift card, and then I will give him his spending money for the next semester. Oh and a nicely wrapped package of underwear and socks 
Forgive me my effusiveness. But you are the folks I think to share it with.</p>
<p>Just back from my Holiday celebration with my one of my book clubs. So much fun! Good friends, good food, good wine!Shopping tomorrow with friends at a small northern resort area. May have to look in to those comfy clog suggestions! Will check in later! :)</p>
<p>BBLfraser – always glad to share a good shoe. I spent the first half of my life trying to be taller with “f-me” shoes until I hurt my back. Now I’m something of a “good shoe” fetish gal ; )
Theorymom, I know what you mean about renewed christmas excitement. Esp. this a.m. with the beautiful but mild snow blanketing everything. (But of course, still haven’t gotten those lights up as I worked late every single night this week…)
Every year prior we usually had some major piece of musical equipment or tech equipment son wanted/needed that, by nature of the purchase (tech specs) he was usually in on and collective extended family contributed. So this year he said there is nothing left he needs (bought everything else w his tech package for school) so just to give him random, fun little things and not to spend a lot.
So for me, it’s been a ton of fun to shop for him because it will truly be the first xmas since very young that’s he’s going to be surprised. And he WILL be very surprised by what I pulled together. So much so that I’d better not write it here on the off chance he cyberstalks me : ) So for me, the “s. coming home” excitement, the fact that he’s not flying up to his dad’s this year, and a major surprise gift has me literally counting off the days! What an awesome feeling : )</p>
<p>Clarks are also a good bet if looking for a dress shoe that is comfortable. I have several pair and all are comfy.</p>
<p>S and D will be a bit surprised I think for Xmas. I have gotten what is on their list but added a few things here and there that I thought they might like. I go all out at Christmas. MIL will give them money but other than that they only get presents from H and I well and or course SANTA. Yes I still do Santa presents. Even though they are grown they still want to open one Christmas Eve. My H thinks that should stop but I so hate to stop it. It’s tradition in our house. I know that they are really too old for that but I think they like it. I’m almost done shopping. I few stocking stuffers left and a couple of minor things to pick up. Could probably do it with one more trip to the mall. Maybe this weekend. I’ve been trying to wrap as things come in - whether I bring them in from the mall or they are shipped. I think the one that is going to be the most surprised this year is H. I got him a few things that I don’t think he’s expecting but will love.</p>
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<p>LOL, so he’s being charming to some people, just not you!</p>
<p>Still trying to get H to finish his 10% of the decorating (I do my 90% in two days, he stretches his 10% out a week) so we can put all the boxes away. Don’t know when I’ll shop and do cards. I’ve bought everything online that can be bought online. Have to do the outside decorations (H has tried, but he doesn’t really get Flamingo Christmas). Saturday is taking D to cheer, taking D to sing for a school gig, picking up boxes of poinsettias (drill team fundraiser), hand washing the drill team field uniform pieces, haircut (okay that’s one thing for me…) Sounds like a good weekend to put on a pot of chilie.</p>
<p>DTE, you turn 50 during all of this? Oh well maybe that’s for the best - put a mildly unpleasant thing in with a very unpleasant thing and the former is no big deal…If you need suggestions on where to go for the awesome belated turning 50/treatment’s over bash, I’m sure we can all come up with some great ideas.</p>
<p>i think it will put it all in perspective turning 50, I thought this would be a year of milestones, D1 graduating, 25th anniversary, D2 16th, 50th BD it was but not the sort I thought. We will take some sort of trip I think. maybe in the spring. the spending money is a good idea for a present. I think I will deposit it in her account and wrap the deposit slip. they also need clothes, we have a really good outlet mall not to far with j crew, gap, banan rebublic, etc… i go on line for those stores andcannot justify the cost.</p>
<p>I’ve giving Son gift cards to places like Panda Express, Firehouse Subs, etc…places he likes to frequent at school. I know fast food is not good for you, but the food on campus is really really bad. He doesn’t think it’s as bad as I do (thank goodness) but I can totally understand that he needs a break now and then.</p>
<p>The beauty of it is that the girls always ask for so much more for Christmas than he does, so I can see what I’ve bought the girls and then just fill in with gift cards for him at literally the last minute if need be.</p>
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<p>Exactly… and maybe a few others.</p>
<p>Admittedly, I have yet to start shopping… and today it’s cold cold cold. However, I saw on the news this morning that Houston of all places was covered in snow!</p>