<p>I’ll offer this up, even though it isn’t really CC material: went shooting today with H. Skeet shooting. Nice kid (18) showed us around; gave me tips on how to “slay some clay”. He works full time at this shooting place, which is only closed 2 days a year. He said he shows up for work at 7 am, and his peers complain about showing up for work at 10 am. He said he doesn’t get it. What happened to his generation (that they have no work ethic). He also said he loves the music of the '60s – the Stones, the Doors, the Cream. </p>
<p>At one point, I thought – are we being played? Is this too…likable? Does he just want a nice tip? Then I thought – he seems real. And I got a lot of birds. Maybe there’s more people out there like him than we think.</p>
<p>So wonderful hearing about all the adventures that are bringing our dearly missed children back home. Don’t you wish you could sit them on your lap while you just rocked with them in the rocking chair!? </p>
<p>Our DS arrived mid-afternoon today after a two T rides and a short shuttle bus ride which brought him to Logan airport followed by a quick, nonstop to Fort Lauderdale. Yesterday we had a big discussion of his transportation choice to get to the airport. I wanted him to take a cab ($60 plus tip & tolls); he was firm in his choice to take the T. Even tho he was allowing plenty of time, I didn’t want him to risk missing the flight (11am). I barely slept a wink. I fretted all morning until the phone rang at 8:30. DS called from the airport, as promised, with his mouth stuffed with a chocolate donut. He got to the airport without a hitch in way less time than planned. What was he to do for two hours? Poor baby. I went back to sleep with the dog.</p>
<p>So pleased to hear that everyone is making it home safely! I am getting quiet excited. Add the ‘Mom shuttle’ to ways of getting home. I’ll be picking up Blurjr and his roommate Tuesday afternoon. It can’t come soon enough!! We did initial prep-work over the weekend, but still have a few things that can’t be done until the last minute. Bluedad in a sweetheart of a moment offered to do the Costco run on Tuesday after work while I am on the road with the boys. What a guy!!!</p>
<p>Welcome home to all the kids and safe travels to those who will be coming home over the next few days. </p>
<p>My weekend company just left and I am knackered so I’ve already crawled into bed and am watching the tennis from London I recorded earlier. Boychild’s boss called him to see if he wanted to work today so he’s been gone since mid-day and is scheduled to work, Weds, Black Friday and Saturday. I think his work ethic will serve him well after he graduates. Tomorrow I have to start planning my menu and shopping for Thanksgiving. There will only be 6 of us but I have to make all the dishes I would need if I was having a much larger crowd. </p>
<p>So sad about the tragedy at the game yesterday. I read the driver was a Yale student whose frat was having a big tailgate party. His lawyer mentioned they believe the van malfunctioned. He passed a sobriety test but I’m wondering if he simply lost control driving a van loaded down with kegs of beer. </p>
<p>It’s true, we really do have just about every mode of transportation represented here… anyone coming by boat? That’s the only one I can think of that’s missing. lol</p>
<p>FLMM - I’m also going to be a nervous wreck on Wednesday morning. DD is perfectly capable of getting herself up, I know this… but so MUCH rests on her being ready on time for the taxi to pick her up. If she misses that ONE shuttle that goes to DFW that morning, she will NOT come home, period. There are no other shuttle/flight combinations that work that day. She as promised to call me when she wakes up so I’ll be freaking out if she doesn’t.</p>
<p>Proudmom2 - our collective hearts and prayers will be with you on Wednesday. Our kids are surprising us with their newfound independence. DS told us he wants to be a tour guide. Is this the same kid who was afraid to call anyone on the phone a few months ago?</p>
<p>FlMathmom-I agree with you that our kids are surprising us with their newfound independence! I have been pleasantly surprised!
Picking up d tomorrow (8 hours round trip ). Can’t wait to see her, although I expect she will be spending most of the break taking hour long showers, sleeping and visiting her best friend! Just being under the same roof with her though will be nice!</p>
<p>Have a nice week, everyone, and safe travels to kids and to parents. Hollie, I hope you have a good audiobook for your trip!</p>
<p>D found an incredibly sweet friend to drive her to the airport at 6 a.m. tomorrow, and to pick her up at 11 p.m. Sunday - he won’t take gas money, so we’ll have to get creative about a gift. She is missing a couple of classes to come home a day early, but she says it’s all “fine.” </p>
<p>She’ll get almost 6 days here (leaving late Sunday). Very exciting! I predict the same showers, sleeping, hugging pets and hanging out with friends as most of these kids. Sounds nice to me.</p>
<p>FLMM and Holliesue - I feel the same way about my D’s new independence. She is training to be a tour guide and has joined 2 pre-professional organizations. Last year this time she had a bad case of senioritis and spent a lot of time lounging in her room.</p>
<p>Welcome home to all of our kids. I hope that they all make their cabs, shuttles and flights.</p>
<p>D1 decided to skip class tomorrow (she’s a senior) and take a train home tonight! D2 flies home tomorrow. FLMM, she tried the 2 T’s and shuttle to the airport once, and has stuck with a cab ever since.</p>
<p>**2 2 2 days (or less) to Thanksgiving break **</p>
<p>:) The turkeys are running for cover as more kids will be landing today! (If they set their alarms and make their early shuttles and flights! - :eek:) :)</p>
<p>(Based on kids touching down at home on the Wednesday before TG. Some kids may get the full week and will land at home sooner.)</p>
<p>Hooray! Another countdown that is nearly over!</p>
<p>FLMM: The T and shuttle take about 3 times longer than a cab, not to mention the aggravation of schleping a bag on and off. Thanks to our Southwest credit card, her flights have been free or very inexpensive, so her indulgent parents said to go ahead and take cabs to the airport. She is going to try to share a cab when possible.</p>
<p>DS is not coming home for thanksgiving. Rather we are picking him up on our way to Toronto for a visit. Having never travelled by car on T’day weekend before, how awful is traffic really likely to be? It’s about 4 hours to Ithaca from here and another 4 to Toronto in normal traffic. Since it’s not Thanksgiving in Canada, we’re hoping that will somewhat reduce the traffic going into Canada for the holiday. We have plenty of audiobooks for the ride, at least! Should we try to take back roads instead of the highway?</p>
<p>Mathmomvt, I would do back roads if they are direct or leave really early in the morning. My oldest son always had to travel on that day when he would come home for Thanksgiving and always had stories to tell of accidents he saw and near accidents he avoided. He generally took main highways.</p>
<p>Hi cyber buddies! Been busy getting ready for the great homecoming - don’t know why but I am cleaning. Someone needs to stop me, it really isn’t necessary…ds won’t notice. Only having one guest, my Dad, for Thanksgiving. Three more visitors for the “day after” - which means you are not important enough to warrant a “day of” visit, but still qualify for the consolation prize of having to serve food twice (can you tell that I love love love my siblings?)</p>
<p>I hope everyones significant student makes his or her connections, wakeup calls, taxis and shuttles, that there are no accidents to bypass or get stuck behind, no strange emergency appendectomies and god speed you on your way to dinner. </p>
<p>My current difficulty is not in transport form but in elf form. My youngest (dd3, 10 yo) believes in “Elf on the Shelf” - or at least she pretends well. If you don’t know this scam, someone (an evil friend perhaps?) gives you the book + stuffed elf combo - cute right? Well, the story says this little elf will send Santa word on whether you are a good little kid or a naughty little kid. Every morning, the elf hides in a new spot to watch you all day long. You can write him notes (I think someone in this town added that one) and he will write back. Elf returns to Santa on Christmas Eve and returns the next year on the day after Thanksgiving. Now, we have had said “Elf” for 3 yrs now. It is hard to remember all the little details about the elf that have been written in these notes - I forget his birthday, his name, his age, etc. Anyway, it is coming on Thanksgiving, and Mommy-dearest can’t find the blasted elf.</p>
<p>ak, lots of possibilities to explain the elf’s absence:
*Taking part in Occupy North Pole
*Helping out his buddies at Keebler
*Gone to live with another child who doesn’t have the same loving family as does your youngest
*Off to college, couldn’t find a cheap flight home
*Found dream job helping Santa at Macy’s NYC, downside is that he has to work T-day through Xmas, sends his love
*Mandatory retirement (3 years max per household)
*Downsized (LOL at the idea of downsizing something that’s already small )
*Didn’t like your household’s cookies</p>
I’ll be picking up Blurjr and his roommate Tuesday afternoon. It can’t come soon enough!! We did initial prep-work over the weekend, but still have a few things that can’t be done until the last minute. Bluedad in a sweetheart of a moment offered to do the Costco run on Tuesday after work while I am on the road with the boys. What a guy!!!</p>
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