<p>Too exhausted to read but wanted to report in. Boychild successfully launched. I did the 600 miles rt without DH who is still in the bunker. NY State got slammed by Irene badly, despite the national media thinking we escaped unscathed because NYC was relatively untouched. </p>
<p>I didn’t stay too long, a couple hours, made up his bed, ran to CVS to buy lighbulbs, met the roommate and his dad. Seemed very nice. The dad owns two vineyards in Napa and invited us to visit when we are out on the coast, and I extended an invite to the roommate to join us for dinner Parents weekend if he has no other plans since his parents can’t come (mom is dealing with some medical issues.) </p>
<p>Boychild’s room is humungous, with 11 ft ceiling and two huge windows (it’s a corner room.) Definitely the room the kids will all hang out in. </p>
<p>Boychild was very ready for me to go and I was ready to leave. He is off tomorrow on his trip. Don’t know if it will be the sailing because of Irene, if not it’ll be a kayaking trip. Weather is supposed to be spectacular the rest of the week so I’m sure whatever they do it’ll be a great time.</p>
<p>Mathmom, glad to hear you are OK. We are also, only lost power for a few hours, but across the street they are still out. My yard is a mess. Debris all over. I’ll be cleaning it up for a few days I’m sure.</p>
<p>Emilybee - Glad you are successfully launched! I’ve seen the pics from the Catskills, just crazy flooding. My town is fine but one town over has flooding, maybe 3’ all up and down main st. Thankfully this week’s weather is beautiful - good week to dry out.</p>
<p>Ds started classes yesterday and we’ll see how this all turns out. I am thinking that regardless of how much research I did, somewhere maybe a wrong turn was made and I feel responsible since (if you recall) ds was a passenger not a driver of this adventure. Or it is just a function of him trying to unload on me and I don’t need to react, just listen. It is hard to know which. </p>
<p>FlMathmom - Hey, you could’ve stopped by on your way to Phili! We are close to Livingston but higher up so not much flooding.</p>
<p>**The next new student move-ins are Tufts and Williams College move-ins on August 31st - tomorrow!
Move-in day is TOMORROW! Labor day is next Monday - where did the summer go? :eek:
[ul][<em>]University of Pennsylvania and Hampshire College move-ins on September 1st are just 2 days to go.
[</em>]St. Olaf College, Bates College, Princeton University (Outdoor Action), and Brown University move-ins on September 3rd are just 4 days to go.
[<em>]Queen’s University move-in on September 4th is just 5 days to go.
[</em>]Northwestern University is the next scheduled move-in on the list on September 12th.[/ul]</p>
<p>The last new student move-ins are the University of Oregon and the University of Southern Oregon on September 22nd
Move-in day in 24 days. Less than 4 weeks to go for the final move-ins.</p>
<p>We’re in!
Moved DS into Penn yesterday and expected a city move in nightmare. We were always scheduled for Monday, but since they moved all of the Sunday move ins to Monday we expected even more of a nightmare. We hit no traffic getting into the city or near the school. It was so empty that I asked DS if he was sure there wasn’t an email about the date changing.</p>
<p>As we pulled up to the quad a rep waved us down and pointed us down the road where someone was flagging us to an open spot. They told us where to grab a huge cart which we did no problem. While we were unloading they came by and said it looked like we had a lot of stuff and suggested that we grab a second cart so that we could unload faster. I was shocked that they would let us and that they had enough for us to do that. As soon as the carts were loaded I had to move the car to the parking deck, which they had already handed me a free voucher for when we first pulled up. By the time I walked back from the lot all the things were up in the room already.</p>
<p>We then went to pick up his ID card and there was a line of about 3 people in front of us, so it took all of 5 minutes. After he was handed the card, he took three steps to where the bank had an area where he could link his ID to his account so that he could use it as his ATM card. It all couldn’t have been easier!</p>
<p>I was expecting such a nightmare and this was the furthest thing possible. Of course the fact that no one was there made all the difference, but I could see the plan that they had in place will make it as smooth as possible when there are crowds.</p>
<p>They told me that it was much more crowded and difficult in the early morning (we showed up just before noon). So I think part of the reason it was easier for us is that everyone had they idea to get their early and beat the crowds. I don’t know if it would work out for everyone but sometimes getting there later is better than earlier.</p>
<p>Good luck to everyone who still has the move ins in front of them. There is hope :-)</p>
<p>parentofpeople and emilybee: so glad it all went smoothly for you both. Congratulations.</p>
<p>Anyone else think maternal instincts are a bad thing sometimes? Since DS2 moved in, DH and I have been really busy–volunteering at the local arts festival, traveling for work, settling in to DH’s new job. This week, with no travel, I am beginning to feel anxious about DS2. If he answers a text with “Yes” instead of his usual “Yep,” I worry that he’s not happy. If we doesn’t tweet something funny at least twice a day, I worry that he’s not happy. I can’t decide if it’s a good thing or a bad thing that this weekend is the first home football game and we will be able to assess that in person. Maybe he needs more transition time. (Yes, I’m overthinking this.) </p>
<p>On the empty nest transition note: I went grocery shopping yesterday. Instead of the family packages of steaks/chops/chicken to grill, I bought two of everything. No chance of DS2 and his friends deciding that our house is the place to eat as it often was this summer and during the school year when they studied together. No packages of oreos for the kids to devour when they came over to watch movies or play Rock Band. No cream soda. It was strange. Instead, we have healthy snacks and fruit so DH and I can fit better on that motorcycle! (Who knew so many of us in this thread were motorcycle wives or owners!?)</p>
<p>Scoutsmom–our lives have been inundated with deadlines for others and it’s no wonder you missed one for yourself!</p>
<p>Flmathmom–Wave at me as you visit DC. It’s been beautiful weather since the hurricane, so I know you will have a great time in DC!!</p>
<p>AvonHSDad–I’ve been living in the world of denial, and figured as long as DS wasn’t on the launch list we had plenty of time. Well, that has ended as we are closing in on his launch. I’m nervous, excited, and every other emotion. I’m so happy for him, but we will all miss him at home as he moves on to his new life!</p>
<p>As for empty nest–we still have DS2 at home for another 4 years. But to keep us busy we are beginning a huge renovation on the house. We just bought the house we’ve been renting for 7 years. It has been neglected by the previous owners who looked at it as a cash cow. DH has made many improvements, but it needs major work. So starting in Sept, the entire outside is being renovated. We got new windows 2 months ago. Next is the roof, siding, trim, deck and driveway. It will all be redone! FINALLY! Then we will move to the inside! It will keep us busy for sure!</p>
<p>DS started packing!!! We have one last shopping trip for a few last things. I can’t believe we leave Friday! :eek:</p>
Has S complained or having issues? Or are you reading between the lines? I know I vacillate between thinking what a wonderful thing it is having S at a school away from the real urban east coast and I hope he doesnt hate the school because it is not in a bigger east coast city.
OWM- love the motorcycle story. You (and Kathie and CHS) just blew my image of you, didnt know we had biker chicks here.
Gsmomma- hope Ds foot heals quickly.
Cooker good luck with 5K. Exactly the type of thing I need to start doing.
Shaw there is never a dull moment at your house! Good luck with the book, perhaps it will be out in time for our college grads to make use of?
Scoutsmom- I hope you love the volunteering. I still have an 11yo so my time is still directed towards her and her activities. LOL on missing the deadline. </p>
<p>Mathmomvt- hope everything gets back to normal in your neck of the woods soon. I have seen pictures of all the water damage out that way and it is not pretty.
Madbean I am still reading the first book in Game of Thrones on my Kindle. Lord it is a big book. (but good!)
Just got a phone call, yes an actual phone call, not a text, from S. He is doing well and thought it might be nice to call and see how I was doing. :)</p>
<p>I too just got a phone call from son. We had a nice long chat. He’s picked up a cold but otherwise is doing well. It’s going to take him a bit to really settle in I think. He thinks he has a part time job on campus doing something with computers, just enough hours to pay for weekend outings. Sounds like the hurricane flooding is not affecting his campus. I feel better finally hearing from him.</p>
<p>mamom: I don’t really qualify as a biker chick. I’m just a wife who, as a single woman in love, climbed on the back of a motorcycle reluctantly to impress a guy. And to think he told me, “Why don’t we ride bikes on our next date? I’ll bring mine over.” He didn’t tell me it had a 750 cc engine. I was ready to go pedaling on my Schwinn 5-speed.</p>
<p>But I trusted him and found out I kind of liked it. I have no desire to learn to drive one myself, but like hanging on to him as a passenger and viewing the countryside.</p>
<p>News from the college front today: five maintenance guys in our son’s suite, trying to find the origin of a leak that has spread to both bedrooms. I wonder how much stuff was on the floor???</p>
<p>I am at the library that has wifi while my daughter is at soccer practice. We fortunately didn’t lose power but lost phone, internet and cable, and the cell phone has been spotty.</p>
<p>My poor girl has no idea when she is starting HS due to the storm. Orientation was to be last night and first day today-they are going to have orientation tonight unless that changes but no start date for school other than it won’t be tomorrow. She is very nervous since she doesn’t know her schedule until they get it at orientation and she is the kind of kid who needs to know she’ll have at least one familiar face in a class or more importantly at lunch. She really slipped through the cracks-thinking back on my son HS starting was such a big deal and with her it’s been almost an afterthought-I didn’t really understand that until now.</p>
<p>AK we are somewhat in the same boat as you know but as far as I am concerned he made the final decision and he owns it. He had a couple of options like your son did and he chose. For better or worse he is there and started this math/science program yesterday. We moved him in a day early on Saturday-what a mess-and there was no help-which I understand-it was nice enough they gave him the option to move in before the storm hit. I miss him and not being able to stay in touch due to the storm but I think it is better this way somehow-Sunday night was very hard for both me and my husband and yesterday was really hard for me-he went back to work and I was completely out of sorts. Today is better-I am sure he’ll be fine. </p>
<p>I love these stories! It’s good to be able to check in-good luck to everyone dealing with either the storm, move-ins, or the blues.</p>
<p>Happy to report that my Ds foot was only sprained. She has to sit out of playing for about a week. The trainer gave her a small boot to wear, and she said that it has helped significantly, along with ice and elevating her foot.</p>
<p>She is enjoying her classes for the most part. She did complain about her Calculus ‘conference’ TA. She said that she can not understand the person (think accent), and he makes her more confused. She has the conference once a week, and she will most likely skip the conference (this coming from a kid who never skipped anything in her life) and go to the tutoring sessions instead.</p>
<p>okay, a week and a half post launch, and I admit it…I REALLY miss D and am feeling a bit “lost”. I am so surprised that I am feeling this way because she has been away every summer for the past 10 years! Exploring things to do with all my evenings (as my DH works every evening). Tried a zumba class last night, will go to the gym. Looking into a reading group. My house has never been this clean! Ha ha!!</p>
<p>At Sarah Lawrence move-in on Saturday, registration packets included a flashlight for each student. Events went ahead as scheduled but in somewhat abbreviated form to allow parents to get on the road quickly. I have heard nothing from SamSon beyond a quick Im alive type text but was grateful that the SLC President emailed a post-storm update Monday saying all was well though Ss dorm was still without power/internet connexion. All orientation activities Sunday were cancelled/postponed. But, as the President pointed out, being confined to quarters for 12 hours probably provided a foundation for some strong bonding. I didnt travel to the US to launch S and H has yet to return to the UK so I still have no real first hand account of how it all went. </p>
<p>What to do with an empty nest? Well, it may be a little extreme, but selling our house, buying a house in London, renting a flat in Shanghai and moving to China are proving very effective distractions. (But I still miss him.)</p>
<p>Well finally got a message via FB from kiddo and then a voice mail.
So I called back to get the scoop on academic advisement, courses etc.
Sounds like kiddo is using the resources!! Talking to deans, profs, etc about intended major, pre-reqs, etc and course load with sports commitment etc. </p>
<p>Was doing laundrey - - while it has been there less than a week, kiddo has had informal sports practices/“on your owns” every day (including move in day) with other athletes. That plus clothes for convocation, meetings, and social stuff…
Glad kiddo has been doing own laundrey weekly the last two summers while away.
Had the required NCAA compliance mtgs etc.</p>
<p>I am finally sleeping through the night again. Most of my worries were logisitical…would the large volume of things D wanted to bring fit into the rental mini-van? The answer was YES! so I felt better. Got up at 2:30 am to review a few documents before getting on the road. The first day we drove as far as St. Louis. Spent all day Saturday with my parents - it was odd to wake up without anything on the To Do list. We left my parents house at about 6:30 Sunday morning. We arrived at the school in Chicago at about 12:30. Not the most organized move in ever, but not bad. It did appear as if D had the largest pile of stuff. (While waiting by the curb, a new resident actually got out of a cab and took in one suitcase! I assume she had things shipped but I was certainly impressed.)</p>
<p>It took at least 5 hours to put everything together in D’s room. (I think Son’s had only taken 2.) Then off to Target and Home Depot and then to find dinner. It was getting later and later and H & I were expected at his brother’s an hour away (which added unnecessary pressure - I wish we had stayed in hotel.) It was about 65 degrees in the evening, so D finally realized that she brought WAY TOO MANY summer clothes with her.</p>
<p>The last thing to do was to get onto the school’s wireless network. Fail. So she was upset at us and herself about that when we left. She walked us to the curb…no tears by anyone. I admit that I was getting more choked up watching other parents hug their kids goodbye than when I was doing it myself. </p>
<p>I haven’t had a report on class or anything else. Neither the school tech support nor the Best Buy Geek Squad were able to help her get online. She called yesterday close to tears. I remembered that her suite mate was a comp sci major and told her to ask her for help. Problem solved about 30 seconds later. They bussed a group to Navy Pier last night for fireworks. Glad she is going to the various events.</p>
<p>Security is very tight in the dorms. The student has to swipe an ID to get in the door, but also to get in another set of doors that lead to the elevators. Very strict guest sign in/out policy. (Or maybe just for the benefit of parents like me?)</p>
<p>D’s roommate arrived today. I hope that goes well.</p>
<p>My thoughts with everyone dealing with the aftermath of the hurricane. It did not affect us at home or at son’s college. Not too much, anyway. There was one rainy day with high winds at the campus and one tree went down, but it did not stop any of the planned orientation activities. For the Labor Day weekend son is planning to go to the U’s marine lab on NC coast. The marine lab had some minor damages but was back in business yesterday, so the plan is still on.</p>
<p>Classes started yesterday and already son is talking about changing some of his classes. I am trying to leave it up to him, but can’t help expressing my opinion from time to time to his great annoyance. His reason for changing classes is because he is thinking that they are too easy and he will be bored, and I don’t understand what is wrong with taking easier classes the first semester of college. </p>
<p>Not yet an empty nest here, but it feels a lot emptier.</p>
<p>boo… So I buy the kids nerf guns every year to put in their stockings. They have a blast shooting at each other. Groupon had a $30 coupon for Hasbro products for only $15 which I bought thinking I could use it to buy some nerf products to send to S. I bought 4 guns and extra bullet things. They arrived today. …he hates them. No way will he show them to anyone or use them. His roommate was laughing his head off when S called me. :(</p>
<p>mamom: I know four guys in a suite at Mizzou who would take those four Nerf guns off your son’s hands. They are stocking up for Zombies vs. Humans Day. I’m supposed to bring bandanas with me this weekend. Waiting for instructions about the correct color.</p>
