<p>Missypie, my D was a flyer for a couple of years. She got dropped plenty of times in practice, but got just as many injuries when she was a base being kicked in the face and straining back and neck muscles: those flyers don’t fly up there into position after all. After spending once or twice a week in physical therapy one summer, she decided to bag the extra tumbling classes altogether. What a relief. The really good news is that after 6 years of cheerleading, she came away with strong leadership skills and a certain fearlessness that she cultivated during that time. She actually enjoyed college interviews – she’s so comfortable being in front of people. It ended up being a real plus for her in the end.</p>
<p>So sorry to hear about the senseless death of that young person – how tragic.</p>
<p>Fearless… yep, I’d say that definitely applies.</p>
<p><going to=“” read=“” fraternity=“” thread=“” even=“” though=“” s’s=“” school=“” doesn’t=“” have=“” a=“” greek=“” system=“”></going></p>
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<p>Yeah, it always seems like the bases should wear mouth guards. D spends her life so bruised that some day I fear a visit from child protective services.</p>
<p>Oh Missypie, how tragic for all involved. You’re right - moments like this make me so very thankful for the small challenges we are facing. </p>
<p>My wise mom used to try to help us get perspective on what was really a “big deal.” Her barometer was that if it would be a big deal a year from now, it qualifies, otherwise, don’t sweat it. Although some of us ARE dealing with the qualified stresses, most of us are fortunate to just be bumping along.</p>
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<p>Yesterday, H was jumping all over D’s case for buying hair mousse when we already had some at home. I wish he’d take your mom’s attitude…he gets so stressed about tiny stuff.</p>
<p>Missypie, I’m so sorry to hear about the '09/'13 who passed away. </p>
<p>In fact I am dealing with a stress that qualifies, but in the larger scheme of things, our family is fine. On hearing about Fang Jr’s return home Sunday, a kind friend of ours invited us to dinner this weekend. He got the call home from college last fall, telling him his daughter had had an accident and was in a coma dying. My troubles are a pinprick compared to that.</p>
<p>Missypie, sending sympathies your way. What a senseless, horrible thing to happen. I wish kids would better internalize the serious dangers of binge drinking.</p>
<p>Oh. no missypie! That just makes me so very sad and frightened! :(</p>
<p>I have been a little angry with D1 today. She has a virus on her computer and won’t deal with it. Wants us to get her a new computer. ahhh…no! I found how to remove it and sent the instructions to her BF so they can handle it.(Hopefully) No patience and a strong entitlement attitude. grrr…</p>
<p>That’s hilarious, NorthMinnesota. Kind of like buying a new frying pan instead of washing the old one. People don’t usually make that kind of choice unless it’s someone else’s money. :)</p>
<p>Exactly! She can be so grown up, independent and ready to launch and then something like this!</p>
<p>Cpeltz… I am going to really try to remember your Mother’s words. They are wise indeed.</p>
<p>Been there NorthMN… does it count however that I want a new laptop because the letters are actually wearing off my keyboard. It’s not like I need them to type, but still, the a, s and e are barely visable. But on the other side is my D25 who we bought a computer for when she went to college - a desk top. She bought her own when she went back to school. It was definitely outdated both in terms of programs and memory. She couldn’t even play Sims. Oh the horror!!</p>
<p>Replacement keycaps are available, for those dainty flowers who can’t bring themselves to type on wornout keys, although I myself think nail polish is a fine solution.</p>
<p>A friend sent this and since I hadn’t seen it yet, thought some of you might not have either…enjoy a little lightheartedness!</p>
<p>Kids home on college break: Homo studentus universitatus season is winding to a close</p>
<p>For nature lovers, this season has brought the appearance of a special species, homo studentus universitatus , a.k.a. the college student on break.</p>
<p>This highly social creature, which travels in packs and leaves a trail of unwashed dishes, is apparently drawn to return every winter to its parental nest. Researchers speculate that it is attracted to large-screen TVs, down comforters and a ready supply of food. </p>
<p>The initial arrival of homo studentus in late December is heralded by the appearance of a large pile of dirty laundry. This is followed by other piles of shoes and clothes, as the denim-rumped primate marks its territory by covering all flat surfaces with its possessions. Within days, the floor of its den is nearly impassable, though interestingly, the creature itself seems not to notice. </p>
<p>It generally remains in its winter habitat through mid-January, displaying the characteristics that make it a particularly intriguing form of wildlife. </p>
<p>A nocturnal animal, homo studentus is rarely glimpsed before mid-afternoon. Observers are warned: Do not attempt to disturb it before it awakens, as it can become hostile. </p>
<p>Once it begins to stir, it generally moves slowly to the vicinity of a television and a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios. Again, do not approach it; at this point the creature appears to be unable to engage in conversation or even to hear sounds such as requests to walk the dog. </p>
<p>By late afternoon, however, homo studentus becomes fully conscious and begins to interact with other members of its species. </p>
<p>Homo studentus communicates largely by using its opposable thumbs for texting. The species’ social structure is complex and communal. Individuals gather in collectives, similar to hives, with different individuals fulfilling specific roles. One may buy the beer; another may surf YouTube for funny videos of animals. </p>
<p>They will often congregate on sofas in family rooms, burrowing underneath fleece throws and blankets. The pack can grow so large and dense that it may be difficult to discern which feet belong to which body. Observers trying to track the populations are advised to count heads. </p>
<p>Homo studentus is an extremely intelligent species, judging by the creatures’ GPAs, their verbal interactions and their speed with answers to “Jeopardy!” However, scientists are puzzled by their inability to fold blankets or put dishes into a dishwasher. It may be that their brains have evolved to specialize in such tasks as remembering lines from movies and applying to graduate school, to the detriment of those parts of the brain that are involved in such tasks as hanging clothes in a closet. </p>
<p>They appear to be cold-blooded, judging by the levels at which they set the thermostat. On the other hand, their preference for indoor heat may be a function of not paying for utilities. </p>
<p>Those who hope to observe this species closely can attract them by providing the right environment. Set out feeders, e.g. pizzas. Scatter indoor areas with pillows. Provide premium cable channels and potato chips. Stay out of sight and don’t touch the remote. </p>
<p>You may not always see the creatures themselves, particularly if you sleep at night. Some people have gone days without seeing the examples of homo studentus that have taken up residence in their homes. Be patient, and look for signs: A profusion of hair-care products in your bathroom, perhaps, or tire tracks in the snow on your front lawn. Eventually, even the most elusive of the creatures will show themselves, if only to ask you to buy more Honey Nut Cheerios. </p>
<p>The rewards of the species’ visit are substantial – a window into a complex society, happy noise in a quiet house, an impressive library of funny animal videos and the way your credit card feels so vibrantly alive. Indeed, many wildlife watchers are reluctant to see the creatures depart, and abandon their roles as observers to hug and kiss the creatures. </p>
<p>But the homo studentus season is brief. No matter how much the creatures have enjoyed the family nest and the use of their own bathrooms, they will soon return to college. Nature lovers must put away their binoculars, turn down the thermostat and bide their time until spring migration.</p>
<p>Hey, I haven’t been on for a while, and discovered we got bumped to page 2! Loved the story cpeltz. Break is a bit disorienting – just about the time I got used to all that clutter in the house again, they’re gone again. Really, the goodbyes are the hardest part. I didn’t want break to end … sort of.</p>
<p>So much news in the past pages – I hardly know what to say except belated happy birthdays; sincere condolences for the losses of all sorts suffered by CC friends; and best wishes for the new semester for us and our kids.</p>
<p>My H’s sister and family just took their youngest daughter to a residential facility for troubled teens, as they simply cannot deal with her at home. It’s more than complicated, but it’s just so sad. She is adopted from a troubled past; but this whole situation just seems like it’s going to make everything harder/worse. Anybody have any experience with such facilities? I’m anxious.</p>
<p>cpeltz, I loved it!</p>
<p>Zetesis, about 5 years ago very good friends had to place their troubled daughter at a facility in Ohio. It was hard on the whole family, especially the girl’s twin brother. She was there for 2 years, and continuted in a restricted environment when she finally moved home again. Now, thank goodness, she seems to be doing just fine. She is enrolled in a local nursing school (RN program) and recently moved in to a small apartment near the school.</p>
<p>cpetlz–love it and already sent it to a friend who has a college junior and we were swapping stories about how late they stayed up and got up over break.
Z–my brother had his 15 yr old S picked up and taken to a residential tx center that will be a minumum of 9 months just yesterday. I helped with much of the research and while it is heartbreaking the alternative looked worse. Our whole family has thought about him all day and wondered how he is.</p>
<p>cpeltz Loved your anthropological analysis! I just sent it to a bunch of friends. </p>
<p>{{{Hugs}}} to those families and especially to those teens with such difficult roads ahead…</p>
<p>I would guess from my sheer length of posts I am no dainty flower unwilling to type on wornout keys! 
NEEDING a new computer and WANTING a new laptop are very different things. We mostly go with needs around here as a matter of necessity and cash flow. </p>
<p>Replacement keys… admittedly, I havent looked that hard,but the one day I did I found white ones for the macbooks and black ones. I have silver keys. Like I said, I don’t need them to type. In fact I could have blank keys and type perfectly fine for the most part. It’s just a like of neatness and order I suppose.</p>
<p>Son completed an application for a possible summer job that will pay about zilch but still needs to write a cover letter. Fortunately or unfortunately, even if he doesn’t get it, he can still work for his Dad in a manuel labor kind of thing which would pay him scale and he’d do very well… I can totally understand the draw to work at the summer camp given the alternative!!</p>
<p>Headed to FL with H this afternoon. Only a long weekend to check in on his parents, but still – it’s a lot warmer there than here! Scored cheap tix on Direct Air out of Worcester, MA. We’re flying into Punta Gorda, which is the closet airport to his parents, so it’s all good. Tomorrow morning my “workout” will be outside under the palm trees. Gotta love it! (Ah-h-h, the perks of the empty nest …)</p>