<p>woody, I am the cookie manager for our service unit so taking orders from all those cookie moms this week. I just hope the delivery isn’t messed up by snow the way it was last year. We have several thousand cases that have to be sorted in an open parking lot so a major production. Our Thinking Day event is this Friday and it’s a blizzard outside right now. What a mess this year.</p>
<p>Let it be known that the rest of us appreciate you past and present cookie moms! Girl Scout cookies are the only “fundraising item” that I seek out. I live in a different county than the county in which I work and the two counties happen to use two different bakers…we order from scouts in both counties, so I figure we’ve tried more kinds of Girl Scout cookies than anyone else around.</p>
<p>I’m sorry I have missed some earlier posts, but did anybody else have their freshman have a hard time about going back after Christmas break? The child seems to be pretty happy and busy now, loving classes and activities, but over Xmas, he was very glum about returning.</p>
<p>Just mailed Son’s Valentine…stuck in Target and iTunes gift cards. (But I did economize by purchasing 2 of $1 cards from Dollar Tree this year.)</p>
<p>I sent son a box yesterday as well… finally exchanged his Carthart overalls that he got for Christmas and picked up a shirt as well. They are ugly and weird, but he wanted them and the shirt, well, it appealed to my outfit mentality. Plus, since spring is very slow to arrive where he is, it will be a good jacket.shirt over his standard issue t-shirt. I also had picked him up some cute argyle workout socks (thicker padded) and some boxers with I love MN on them along with some chocolate covered peanuts lovingly called, “Bear Poop” hoping to appeal to his sophmoric side. Had some utility and some fun, but nothing over the top. I will say, however, I do love the flat rate shipping and packed that box FULL. The post office, however, was packed as well. Have no idea why except for the snow of the day before may have delayed errand running.</p>
<p>And yesterday I made a cardinal sin around here by flagging down a passing private plow company truck to beg them to do my driveway. The driveway itself is fine, but the apron of the driveway filled in with city plow snow is just too much for me and sometimes has lasted until march if not done === and it wasn’t getting done. H was bitter. I was happy. I win.</p>
<p>It’s been a challenge to shop for Valentine’s Day without buying candy, which none of us need. (Okay, the 108 lb daughter could eat a few pounds without anyone noticing.) Our beloved tiny downtown chocolate shop closed, so at least I won’t have the temptation to shop there.</p>
<p>City plow just filled the end of my driveway with another 5 million pounds of wet, heavy snow. H left this am for another 800 hours of work but hopefully will be able to get home and clear the driveway before it refreezes. My office is open today but they’re calling for high winds and the like so I won’t be making the trek. We’re not even getting mail delivery or pickup here today so no Valentine’s gifts going out.</p>
<p>I know that some of you have Way Too Much Snow, but I’d love just one snow day, to watch the Netflix movies that have been in the house for a month, and to clear out the DVR before the Olympics starts!</p>
<p>missypie- that is exactly how I have planned my day!!
PS Our “beloved chocolate shop” also closed this year. So sad…</p>
<p>Endicott
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<p>You are describing my daughter exactly. In her last week home, she started lamenting about going back – food, dorm life, pressure of classes, weather, you name it. It took about a week to settle in, but I really did wonder there for a bit how serious she was when she said, “I don’t want to go back.” Her older sister advised her that it’s like jumping into a cold pool; hard to do, but once you’re in, it’s fine. Seems to have been the case.</p>
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<p>Unfortunately, something that is pretty easy to give up in a bad economy.</p>
<p>I recently found out that some people we know moved into a *much *smaller house. The husband had been a successful motivational speaker. Another thing that is pretty easy to do without in a bad economy.</p>
<p>I think D2 would die if we moved to another house while she was still in college; this is the only home she’s ever known. But then it’s always been too small for us; certain areas of SoCal will force that on you.</p>
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<p>I’m pretty sure that it was a financial necessity for these folks.</p>
<p>Several random thoughts here as usual I am several pages behind. I can’t use my usual work excuse, office is closed today due to blizzard conditions. I was considering staying home anyway as I have a cold and am not feeling that great. I know that having a snow day sounds wonderful and really is, but we are having a few too many here.</p>
<p>The article in the Onion was interesting, but so not me. I go through files/closets/drawers etc at least twice a year and throw away or donate. Can’t seem to function well with too much stuff around.</p>
<p>Thanks to all of you “cookie moms”, I was a troop leader for 3 years and was so grateful to the moms who stepped up and did the cookie job.</p>
<p>OMG - I’m watching the Temple Grandin story with tears streaming down my cheeks.</p>
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<p>Okay, so it’s not just me. I think the story would pull at the heartstrings of just about any mom.</p>
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<p>But how do you ever get rid of the PSAT score reports and the AP test score reports and the report cards and the college admissions letters? I keep weeding the pile of paper down, but honestly, at some point I’ll give the folders to my kids and let THEM put the papers into their own shredders.</p>
<p>I had this whole response typed out, and then P-O-O-F, it disappeared! Anyway, I did the Service Unit Cookie Chair thing for 3 years. The Council was just changing over to online order submissions by Troop Cookie Moms, which helped me out a lot. That, and 2 Council drive-thru distribution points for Troop Moms to pick up cookies. Now that was slick! The tractor trailers of cookies lined up in a big parking lot and volunteers would load the correct #of cases into the Mom’s car. Each Mom was fully loaded and on her way in 10 minutes or less. But, for all that, I don’t miss the whole cookie thing. Been there, done that!</p>
<p>Re: Valentine’s packages – sent D’s yesterday, and H is delivering S’s in person today since he has a meeting at WPI. They got cocoa, microwave popcorn, homemade cookies, trail mix and 1/2 bag of Valentine’s kisses. I also gave D a Starbucks card, but S just got the cold cash since there is no Starbucks at his school and he hates coffee.</p>
<p>OTOH, I have NO idea what to get H. I already got a gift for him to give me – just haven’t figured out how to tell him that!!! :)</p>
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<p>I’m very tempted to wrap up all of his Christmas gifts in red paper because he hasn’t used or worn a single one of them.</p>
<p>When I cleared out D’s files, I saved one file for her final transcript, acceptance letter, & test scores. As for the old report cards from elementary, MS, etc. they are now in one envelope. At some point I will ask her if she wants them and if she doesn’t I will shred. I guess I’m just not very sentimental :)</p>