<p>I want to let you all know that my father went “home” yesterday-to his assisted living facility. He is a miracle! I know you have been thinking of me and my family so I wanted to share the good news! He now can help me with getting my little girl through the classics-not my strong point and since she still HATES reading it will be a pleasure off-loading her! My mother is having issues now related to his moving back-she wants to be with him and doesn’t understand why she can’t be-but at least now he can go get her and take her to the activities in the main building-but I am going to focus on the positives here. Every change for my mother is going to be hard-but we’ll get through it. </p>
<p>The holidays are split between the three “girls” in my family-my older sister has T Day, my younger Christmas, and I have Easter. My younger sister and I basically do everything other than the cooking at T Day-my sister refuses to use the throw away pans so we get stuck every year spending a lot of the day scrubbing-I think I am going to drop by next week with one of those roasting pans you can chuck-if she won’t use it I will take out my frying pan…I have had it!</p>
<p>My son is very happy at school. He is working hard like everyone else’s students and like many experiencing his first B’s in multiple numbers. We have talked a lot about accepting the challenge to think a different way, write a different way, accept that this is hard but if you have the proper attitude it will really change you for the better, and as always give your best effort-the grades are out of your control. There is so much that is subjective in these writing intensive classes and that is just the way it is. </p>
<p>I know he has heard me because he was very disappointed last week to get a B+ on a paper that we worked so hard on. Well that is until he found out the grade distribution-a couple of A’s, a couple of B+'s, and lots of C’s-so that B+ was a great grade. He told me he finally has accepted this and isn’t going to stress about it anymore (or at least to the best of his ability!). </p>
<p>I did want to comment on the STEM discussion. I liked what BI wrote-her son has a lot of respect for those non-STEM majors. My son would rather take a math or science class any day over these humanities classes where there is no “right” answer. I respect the abilities of all of these kids-whether they are math, science, or arts oriented. What use is the greatest discovery is the STEM field if there aren’t people who can communicate it to people like me who need it explained? </p>
<p>I will say that project oriented education does seem to work well. I know Olin and WPI are very strong in this area and their graduates are very highly regarded-maybe moving towards that type of more hands on learning will engage the students in a better way than these huge lectures designed to weed people out-or maybe those are needed too.</p>
<p>Kathie - Have an amazing time at the show! That’s something on my ‘bucket list’ so I’ll be thinking of you! :)</p>
<p>Pepper - So, so very good to hear from you. I know you read, but don’t always post, so I’m glad to hear the updates…good news or not my friend!! This is awesome news, but remember it doesn’t matter here, we just like hearing from you! Anyway, so glad to hear the update on your mom and dad. You really are the sandwich generation and I have so much respect for everyone going through this. I haven’t experienced this yet so I am in awe of how you handle it all! Keep that frying pan handy…disposable pans most certainly should be used during holidays or they wouldn’t be in every darn store. When your sister wants to do it all herself it’s her call…if you were asking for my two cents. So good to hear about PepperSon. Sounds like he’s adjusting well to a demanding program. That’s all you can ask for, right? I agree about the hands on learning and project oriented education. There has to be something to it. I know Bluejr’s school encourages some of this and I think it’s a really good thing.</p>
<p>thanks kathiep. I’ll keep trying and hope for good timing. That is great news, Pepper. Glad to hear of the improvement.
It is hard to believe that our kids will be home soon for Thanksgiving.</p>
<p>MM-Great to hear from you. So glad your DD is doing well (even without roomie interaction). Tell her that college men are much better at finding the real gems. HS was all about popularity, college is about who you really are–guys see she’s a great person!</p>
<p>Kinder & AK–glad you have good news on your parents. It’s hard to switch roles from child to caregiver!</p>
<p>2Edu-- good to hear from you! Find a Wegman’s on your way to visit DS1–it’s a great place to eat lunch!</p>
<p>Pepper–You DS sounds like mine—working very hard to get those B+ grades! It’s hard for them to not get tippy top grades, but they are learning that the don’t “have” to!</p>
<p>I’m off to see DS (again!) He’s getting sworn in to the military for his ROTC scholarship. The ceremony is tomorrow 11/11/11–Veteran’s Day. DH is wearing his uniform. I’ll seriously try and post pic on shutterfly once I get them. Unfortunately DS won’t be in uniform since they haven’t been issued their Class A’s yet. Remember to thank a Veteran tomorrow (and every day!)</p>
<p>Pepper, happy to hear your DS is happy at school and glad he is realizing a B+ is a great grade. </p>
<p>Kathy, hope you have a great time at Daily Show. I heart Jon. I’ll be watching tonight.
The time we went we also had a so-so guest (Albert Brooks.) It’s not that I don’t like him but there are so many better guests.</p>
<p>Vamom, congrats to your son. I’m sure the ceremony will be lovely and quite moving. </p>
<p>Today I’m dealing with my elderly neighbor’s home mysterious odor which is making her sick. Neither DH nor I smell a thing but she insists it’s from her oil delivery last winter. I finally tracked down a company which tests air quality for environmental spills and the guy I talked to happens to live around the corner, so he is coming tomorrow, free of charge, with a hand held tester. Hoping we can eliminate that it is from the oil and move on to what DH & I think it is (sewer gas.)</p>
<p>Emilybee, what a nice neighbor you are! If the air quality guy doesn’t find anything he may want to pretend to fix it anyway, sometimes old people get ideas in their heads that they can’t let go of! Its nice to hear of people reaching out to help those around them. Its the way it should be!</p>
<p>VAmom, Congrats to your son. I am sure you and your H are very proud. My H just retired after 25 years in the military. He is now “retired” and has gotten a “real job” as I like to tell him. He loved being in the military so much it never felt like work. </p>
<p>Very grey and cold outside nice day to curl up and not do anything! Enjoy the afternoon.</p>
<p>EAO, this has been going on for months now. She already replaced her oil furnace with gas, had the wall to wall carpeting removed because she thinks it absorbed the odor (I’d been after her to do that forever as she has beautiful hardwoods underneath that have never seen the light of day and would need to be ripped out when she goes to sell eventually, something I’ve been trying to convince her to do for years, too. ) She’s been a widow for 40 something years and neither of her children live anywhere near her and never come to visit, so we treat her like we would our parents and help as much as we can with whatever needs to be done. I am furious with her kids and she is way too proud to tell them her problems/needs. She really can’t take care of her house anymore and can’t afford to pay people to do it either and her daughter, who has plenty of money, could easily help out. If not with money the least she could do is get her butt up here and help her mom every once in awhile. It makes me so mad I often feel like calling her up and chewing her out, but my neighbor would never talk to me again if she found out I did that. </p>
<p>Boychild called and told me he has a ride next friday to Worcester so I don’t have to drive all the way to Maine. Hurrah!</p>
<p>Hi All…approaching to end of another week…and closer to turkey day :D</p>
<p>Kiddo is busy with this second round of exams.</p>
<p>EAO/YaleMom…kiddo’s “screw” is this weekend. Will be interested to hear about it. I have no clue if there is a theme and what the dress code is…I think dresses, jackets/ties but could be wrong.</p>
<p>Emilybee…there is no way to know what the family dynamics are with your neighbor etc. and her grown adult children (maybe with kids of their own to care for or businesses to run?) Maybe a lot of issues, relationship dysfunction, boundaries etc. Your sweet neighbor may not be so sweet to her family and they may have had enough of it.<br>
It is nice that you are helping your neighbor yet getting involved in her family affairs (as well intentioned as you might be) might cause more harm than good.
Worth thinking about before you pick up that phone.
FWIW, if it is sewer gas, a plumber can find that pretty readily.</p>
<p>Fog, I know both her son and daughter. The son’s kids are grown and married but he has some physical problems after suffering a stroke and can’t help her physically. He use to fly in from Seattle every fall to help with the yard work but can’t anymore. </p>
<p>As for the daughter, she is just selfish and they have a contentious relationship but the daughter thinks nothing of flying her mom down for weeks when she needs something - like help with child care.</p>
<p>I’m not going to call the daughter, but I sure as **** want to. </p>
<p>Her plumber says it’s not sewer gas but I don’t trust him. He’s been saying he would be back to clean up from the furnace removal (some oil possibly seeped into the concrete floor) but has failed to show up after repeated calls.</p>
<p>Hey has anyone thought about Fafsa and Profile for next year…
and taxes.
Just saw this item and it reminded me about fin aid apps again…And its only November!</p>
<p>pepper - so nice to see you back on the thread! i may need the frying pan over winter break - are you taking reservations for it?</p>
<p>emilybee - bless you for your interest and kindness in your neighbor. i think my second career (after the tuitions are all done) might be something to do with the elderly. it breaks my heart to hear of situations like your neighbors. my dad was in a nursing home for years and the loneliness and suffering of so many of the patients was overwhelming. your children are learning a priceless lesson from you about how to treat others, especially the “more experienced.” </p>
<p>momjr - do you know which edible arrangements store is closest to Homewood? I guessed based on zip codes and google map, but for future reference, I would love your input. </p>
<p>Glad to hear of positive health news for AmandaK’s dad and Kinderny’s mom; hope that both continue to improve.</p>
<p>Military Mom - so great to hear that your DD is doing well and has gotten off to a good start. Bjamm - enjoy your trip with your dad and especially spending the weekend with your DD! Safe travels.</p>
<p>Blue - good luck to your DS tomorrow; I’ll say a little prayer for him.</p>
<p>Pepper - thanks for the update on your parents; I’ve been hoping things were improving. And can I say that I have missed the frying pan? Seems like we went through a period where almost all of us found occasion to use it and it’s nice to know it’s still around!</p>
<p>VaMom - congratulations to your DS and to your family! Enjoy your very special Veteran’s Day.</p>
<p>Emily - your neighbor is lucky to have you and your family. Enjoy your DS when he gets home!</p>
<p>emilybee, would you like to move in next door to me? :)</p>
<p>I’ll second fogfog’s comments about family dynamics. I once received a scathing phone message at both work and home from my MIL and FIL’s neighbor, ripping me up and down for my lack of caring and hideous behavior because I hadn’t taken my MIL to visit my FIL at the hospital. Let’s just say that the neighbor didn’t know the rest of the story. Or stories. :mad:</p>
<p>Emilybee - you are so kind. It’s is the daughter’s loss not to include her mom in her life. So sad. I am so happy that I decided to move to Florida when my parents retired. </p>
<p>Now that my DH is retired, he volunteers for an organization that arranges rides for the elderly. He gets a real kick out of listening to their stories and safely escorting them to the doctor, hairdresser and food store while keeping them off the road. </p>
<p>Pepper - welcome back. Thanks for sharing all your news about your parents and your DS.</p>
<p>VA~Want to wish you a great day tomorrow in Nj. Please take pics :)</p>
<p>EBee~You Have a great heart and your Neighbor is lucky to have you I would forget about calling her kids, you can not get water out of a rock :)</p>
So good to hear about PepperSon. Sounds like he’s adjusting well to a demanding program. That’s all you can ask for, right? I agree about the hands on learning and project oriented education. There has to be something to it. I know Bluejr’s school encourages some of this and I think it’s a really good thing.</p>
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